Power of a Second Opinion - Autumn Early - Breast Cancer

Summary

Autumn Early, a 41-year-old mother of four, was shocked to learn she had breast cancer, despite a genetic test showing a minimal risk. After experiencing pain under her arm during the holidays, she initially dismissed the possibility of cancer, but follow-up tests confirmed it. Diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, she started chemotherapy at the University of Kansas Cancer Center. Autumn's journey highlights the importance of trusting one's instincts and seeking further medical attention when something feels wrong, regardless of previous tests or diagnoses. Her story encourages women to always listen to their bodies and advocate for their health.

Takeaways

• 😀 Autumn, a 41-year-old mother of four, was shocked to learn she had breast cancer despite her family history and genetic testing suggesting a low risk.
• 😀 Autumn's grandmother passed away from breast cancer in her 50s, and despite surviving it a decade earlier, the family history influenced Autumn's health decisions.
• 😀 After genetic testing indicated a less than 1% chance of developing breast cancer, Autumn was reassured, but later developed symptoms that led to a diagnosis.
• 😀 In her annual mammogram, Autumn was told she had cysts that were being monitored, but it was not immediately alarming.
• 😀 On Christmas Day, Autumn woke up with pain under her arm, which continued despite antibiotics, leading her to eventually seek medical advice.
• 😀 Despite her ongoing pain, Autumn initially convinced herself it wasn't breast cancer due to her low genetic risk and recent clean mammogram results.
• 😀 In February, during a ski trip with her family, Autumn received the heartbreaking confirmation that she had breast cancer.
• 😀 Autumn's diagnosis was of triple-negative breast cancer, which is an aggressive form of cancer that does not respond to some common treatments.
• 😀 Following the diagnosis, Autumn reached out to her priest for guidance, who recommended the University of Kansas Cancer Center for treatment.
• 😀 Autumn began chemotherapy soon after, and is grateful for the support and care provided by the University of Kansas Cancer Center staff.
• 😀 Autumn encourages other women to trust their instincts, always listen to their body, and not rely solely on past test results if something feels wrong.

Q & A

What was Autumn's initial reaction when she was told she had breast cancer?

Autumn was shocked when she first learned about her diagnosis, as she had genetic testing that indicated she had a very low chance of developing breast cancer.

What did Autumn's genetic testing reveal about her risk of breast cancer?

Autumn's genetic testing revealed that she had less than a 1% chance of getting breast cancer.

How did Autumn's annual mammogram and subsequent ultrasound affect her perspective on her health?

Autumn's annual mammogram and ultrasound showed some cysts, but she was told they were being monitored and that she was in good health, which reassured her at the time.

What symptom did Autumn experience on Christmas Day that led her to seek medical attention?

Autumn woke up with pain under her arm on Christmas Day, which persisted and prompted her to schedule an appointment with her doctor.

What was the initial diagnosis when Autumn consulted with her doctor about the pain?

Autumn's doctor initially suspected an infection and prescribed antibiotics, but the pain continued despite the treatment.

How did Autumn initially cope with the possibility of breast cancer?

Autumn convinced herself it wasn't breast cancer, dismissing any signs based on her genetic testing and recent mammogram results.

What was the outcome of the follow-up tests that Autumn underwent?

The follow-up tests confirmed Autumn's fears in February, while she was on a ski trip with her family, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

What type of breast cancer was Autumn diagnosed with?

Autumn was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, which is a more aggressive form of the disease.

How did Autumn decide where to receive treatment after her diagnosis?

Autumn sought guidance from her priest, who recommended the University of Kansas Cancer Center, where she eventually received treatment.

What advice does Autumn offer to other women based on her experience?

Autumn advises women to trust their instincts and always listen to their bodies. She emphasizes the importance of seeking medical attention even if previous tests suggested everything was fine.