Never did I imagine breast cancer would be part of my life story. Certainly not at 38, with two small children. I was diagnosed on Nov 1, 2024, but my story really begins in March 2023.

I found a lump in my right breast during a self-exam. Called my doctor right away. She didn’t ask me to come in, but she sent me a requisition for a mammogram and ultrasound. The result was not concerning. A microscopic cyst. Category D breast density. No concern for malignancy. On with life I went, trusting the system and not an ounce of doubt in my results.

July 2024, after another self-exam, I noticed the lump was still there, seemed larger and was painful. I insisted my doctor see me and examine me. She was so confident it wasn’t anything serious because breast cancer “doesn’t hurt” and tumours feel like “a rock”. For peace of mind, she sent me for another mammogram and ultrasound. This time, very different results. Large area of concern, much different from previous, BI-RADS 5, biopsy recommended.

A whirlwind followed. A referral to my hospital breast clinic, further imaging, biopsy, and diagnosis within a week. By November 1, 2024, I heard the words. Stage 3 HER2+ breast cancer. Next, I saw a surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist oncologist and was thrust into aggressive chemotherapy by December. A double mastectomy in April, radiation in June and then I was left to move on with life in survivorship.

It’s been a long, traumatic, frustrating journey. Never being told that having category D breast density made me higher risk and that further imaging would be valuable for me. My cancer was probably hidden and could have been caught earlier. I had no family history, no genetic mutation; I did everything right with healthy eating, daily exercise and a sense of great health. A huge lesson learned, even though I felt I had no control over it.