In December 2023, while breastfeeding her then five-month-old son, Rebecca felt a small, painful lump. “To put it in perspective, small being not even the size of a green pea, but it was there,” she recalled.
Initially thinking it was a clogged milk duct, she kept an eye on it. However, with no change and a family history of breast cancer, she decided to mention it to her family doctor during a scheduled appointment for her children, and her doctor promptly ordered her an urgent ultrasound, starting her cancer journey and growing her healthcare team.
“A team that's exactly what it is,” said Rebecca. “I had my family doctor who put it in motion — if it hadn't been for my family doctor ordering that ultrasound then none of this would have been discovered — so he was really the first person to make that call to and say let's do a test to make sure, and he followed everything. He followed my reports and then he was like your surgeon and your oncologist are the experts here (so) they take it from here.
Although the ultrasound couldn’t confirm if it was a cyst, a subsequent biopsy revealed that Rebecca had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the earliest form of breast cancer.
Despite this early detection, her journey was only just beginning.
Rebecca’s medical team referred her for an MRI to get a clearer picture. This led to further biopsies, ultrasounds, and mammograms.
Rebecca had an important decision to make with her treatment. Given her young children and her desire to be aggressive with treatment, Rebecca opted for a double mastectomy along with reconstructive surgery with consultation with her medical team.
The final pathology after her surgery revealed that she did have stage one breast cancer.
With the stage one diagnosis, Rebecca was referred to oncology, where she underwent four rounds of chemotherapy treatment. She used cold capping therapy to preserve her hair, a detail many curious people asked about, alongside how she detected the lump. "It took a team; I don’t know how someone would do it without a support team there," she reflected.
Rebecca completed her chemotherapy at the beginning of August this year, marking the end of a grueling nine-month journey all while being a devoted mother to her two young children.
Reflecting on her journey, Rebecca emphasized the crucial role of early detection and self-awareness. "Knowing your body and trusting yourself if you notice something, don’t be afraid to act on it. Early detection is key," she urged.
Rebecca’s journey has been a profound testament to her strength and resilience. Her story highlights the critical role of early detection, knowing your own body, and acting on any concerns you might have.
