Natalie Wilson
“Progress means every woman — in every Canadian community — is seen, heard, and cared for”.
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After receiving her FIRST mammogram at the age of 40, Steph was diagnosed with DCIS in July 2022. Although she could not feel a lump or disfiguration in her breast, her doctor sent her proactively in hopes of staying on top of the disease.
After genetic testing, it was found that Steph was positive for the Chek2 gene – a gene mutation that creates an increased risk for breast cancer. These results directly impacted her course of treatment. Her treatment plan changed from a single nipple sparing mastectomy to a bilateral non-nipple sparing mastectomy. The removed area of DCIS was just over 10cm and Steph opted to have immediate reconstructive surgery via the transverse rectus abdominus (tramflap) procedure.
Six months later, Steph had her first postoperative MRI which unfortunately revealed that her cancer had returned. She now had an invasive tumor and more evidence of DCIS, requiring another mastectomy. Following the mastectomy, Steph completed 25 sessions of radiation treatment in October/November 2023 and hormone therapy as her cancer was triple positive. Steph wears a breast prosthetic until reconstruction is an option.
Today, Steph receives an MRI every six months and is enjoying cancer-free results!
Steph has yet to meet anyone with her exact diagnosis, highlighting the importance of personalized care in breast cancer.
“Progress means every woman — in every Canadian community — is seen, heard, and cared for”.
“With more research and more awareness, we can ensure fewer women are blindsided the way I was.”
Living Fully with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Although rare, male breast cancer is a significant health concern – accounting for approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases each year. Despite its rarity, the impact of a male breast cancer diagnosis can be life-altering, often presenting unique challenges due to late detection and limited research.
Breast Cancer Canada donations fund life-saving research that directly impacts Canadian patients. That means better answers, bigger breakthroughs – and more personalized treatment for every breast cancer diagnosis.
Our suite of digital tools are each designed to help individuals better manage their breast cancer journey through education, research and personalized insights, while also elevating the patient voice.
Every breast cancer journey is unique, but together, these stories paint a powerful picture of progress. Through firsthand accounts from patients and survivors, we share stories that highlight the lived-experiences of breast cancer.
Progress happens when we invest in it. Canada is home to some of the world’s brightest minds in research. Together, we are advancing science, ensuring it leads to earlier detection, better treatments, and improved outcomes for patients across the country.
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