My name is Claudia, I’m a breast cancer survivor turned advocate, mother of three, and creator of My Cancer Diaries, a platform supporting women navigating breast cancer while parenting young children. Originally from Switzerland, I now live in the SF Bay Area, where I’ve found inspiration in the resilience of the community.
At 40, I had a routine mammogram that came back clear. I was informed I had extremely dense breast tissue but received no further guidance. A year later, during a regular OB-GYN checkup, my provider felt two lumps. Follow-up imaging and a biopsy confirmed multifocal invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), grade 3. After my mastectomy, the pathology report revealed I had three cancerous lumps. One didn’t appear on imaging and couldn’t be felt, underscoring ILC’s unique and often elusive nature.
The diagnosis was overwhelming, especially since ILC is less common and behaves differently than other breast cancer types. I relied on the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance (LBCA) website to understand my diagnosis better. Their focused, reliable information helped me feel less alone and empowered me to advocate for my care.
My journey has been rooted in whole-person healing—focusing not just on my physical health, but also on my emotional and mental well-being. Mindfulness, clean living, and prioritizing self-care have been transformative, allowing me to thrive beyond cancer. Looking ahead, I hope for more research studies that recognize lobular carcinoma as a distinct form of breast cancer. This would enable the development of more personalized treatment options and lead to better outcomes for future patients.
My advice to anyone facing ILC is to practice self-advocacy, find doctors who understand the differences among lobular breast cancer and other breast cancer types, and embrace whole-person healing—it’s a crucial part of the journey.
Cancer changed my life, but it also taught me to prioritize self-care, embrace vulnerability, and find strength in community. Today, I’m thriving and committed to helping others do the same.
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