In January 2024, Brittany Williams, a 34-year-old mother of three, visited urgent care for an eye condition when she also brought up to her provider that she had been experiencing breast pain for months. While no lump was detected, her provider recommended a precautionary mammogram. Although breast pain is not commonly associated with breast cancer, especially in an early stage, the imaging coincidentally revealed an area of concern. Further testing and a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis.
Brittany is far younger than the typical breast cancer patient in the United States, where the median age of diagnosis is 62. “They called and said, ‘I hate to do this over the phone, but you have early-stage breast cancer,” Brittany recalled. “I had already prepared for the worst, so it was a bit of a relief to know. But my family didn’t take it as well. There was a lot of anxiety.”
Brittany was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), an early form of breast cancer where cancerous cells are present but haven’t yet formed a lump. Despite the diagnosis, Brittany felt fortunate to have caught the cancer at such an early stage. DCIS is considered Stage 0 for breast cancer, meaning that it is in its earliest form and is non-invasive.
Brittany was referred to Dr. Melissa Kaptanian, breast surgeon at the Bass Breast Center at Logan Health Medical Center. Together, they developed a personalized treatment plan. “We have something called shared decision making, which is where we talk through all the options that she has,” said Dr. Kaptanian. “I tell patients I am the information lady and they are the decision lady. We are going to figure out what option works best for them. There is no cookie cutter medicine that is right for every patient.” Not only was Brittany fortunate to have caught the cancer early, she was thankfully healthy and therefore had a variety of treatment options to choose from.
After considering all the options, she chose to undergo a bilateral mastectomy, a procedure that removes both breasts. “I figured I’m done having kids, I’m done nursing, I don’t need them. A lot of people asked if I was sure, but I didn’t want the cancer to spread. This felt like the right choice for me,” Brittany said. While no treatment can guarantee cancer won’t return, a bilateral mastectomy significantly reduces the chance of recurrence.
Part of Brittany’s decision-making process also involved considering reconstructive surgery. She was referred to Dr. Thomas Wright, plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the Logan Health Surgical Clinic. Like Dr. Kaptanian did with the treatments, Dr. Wright explained all the options available to Brittany for reconstructive surgery. Women who undergo mastectomies generally have three choices: remain flat, get implants, or choose tissue-based reconstruction. For Brittany, maintaining her natural breast image was important. “When I met with Dr. Wright, I didn’t know much about the tissue-based option,” she said. “But the more I learned, the more I felt it was right for me. I have a history of my body rejecting things, so using my own tissue seemed like the best choice for me.”
The most common tissue-based procedure is the DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Artery) flap reconstruction. This method uses tissue from the lower abdomen to rebuild the breasts. Patients often find this method to be more comfortable because the tissue from the abdomen is soft and pliable, similar to breast tissue. “A lot of people choose tissue-based reconstruction to avoid implants,” explained Dr. Wright. “They prefer the more natural option, and it often requires no additional surgery, unlike implants which may need revisions after 10-15 years.”
In June, Brittany underwent the DIEP flap procedure to rebuild her breasts. An incision was made on her lower abdomen from hip to hip, just below the belly button, in a similar manner to a tummy tuck. The tissue was then transplanted to her chest and shaped into new breasts. The surgery took about ten hours, and Brittany stayed in the hospital for three days. “After that procedure we need to do frequent flap monitoring,” continued Dr. Wright. “Patients who have this procedure done will experience a sore abdomen so we ask that they don’t do any heavy lifting for about six weeks. Generally by that six-week mark, they are back to normal.”
Timing was critical in Brittany’s case. From her initial mammogram on January 16 to her biopsy on January 23, she quickly met with Dr. Kaptanian by January 30 to discuss treatment options, and with Dr. Wright on February 6 to plan her reconstruction. By February 14, she underwent a bilateral mastectomy. In less than a month, Brittany had gone from the initial screening to a bilateral mastectomy. The quick-moving process not only solved the life-threatening diagnosis but also helped bring quicker ease to her family.
Logan Health’s multidisciplinary approach ensured that Brittany received top-tier care at every step of her journey. The Bass Breast Center, a nationally accredited facility, requires its multidisciplinary teams to thoroughly review each patient’s case. In Brittany’s case, Dr. Kaptanian, Dr. Wright, and their teams, along with radiologists, pathologists, and nurses, collaborated closely to ensure she received the best possible outcome. “I recommend that whole team,” Brittany said. “They did a wonderful job, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
While the American Cancer Society advises women at average risk to begin screening at age 40, understanding individual risk is key. Women with close relatives who developed breast or ovarian cancer at a young age may face higher risks and should be screened sooner.
Though Brittany’s early detection was somewhat of an anomaly, her story highlights the importance of self-awareness and proactive health management. Dr. Kaptanian emphasizes three main takeaways: “Starting mammograms younger isn’t the lesson here because, in general, breast cancer wouldn’t have been picked up at such an early stage. The key is establishing a primary care provider, understanding your risk based on family history, and practicing total body self-awareness.”
For Brittany, this proactive approach to her health was just part of who she is. Her attentiveness to her own body and decision to seek medical advice were critical in catching her cancer early.
“Life is short,” Brittany advised. “Listen to your body and do everything you can to take care of it.”
Article as seen at 406Women.com