My name is Tanya, I was diagnosed in 2016 at 44 years old with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, Stage 3a. I was living in Ontario at the time of my diagnosis and treatment.  I am a retired Certified Athletic Therapist. I am a very active individual with a passion for the outdoors and travel. I love to kayak and paddleboard and am a photographer at heart. I currently work in retail and I have been a Certified Mastectomy Fitter (specializing in fitting mastectomy bras, breast forms, and post-surgical garments) for 3 years; I would love to be a Patient Cancer Care Navigator.

I noticed a lump in my left breast a year before I was diagnosed. It was large and became painful over time. When I approached my family doctor about it, he told me breast cancer was not painful and because I had no family history, I shouldn’t worry. Fast forward to a year later, while on vacation, my husband couldn’t even hug me. I returned home and made another appointment insisting on tests.  I was sent for an ultrasound which came back clear. Then I had a mammogram, my first and only. The test showed something, but it wasn’t until they checked it against the supposedly “clear” ultrasound that they  found the tumor. I had a biopsy immediately. Stage 3a ILC, ER+ PR+ HER2- Grade 1.

I had chemotherapy first to shrink my 10cm x 4cm x4cm tumor followed by a double radical mastectomy with immediate DIEP & axillary node dissection, then radiation. I took Tamoxifen for 8 years and because they discontinued the brand that agreed with me I switched to an Al for 3 months before not being able to tolerate it. 

In November 2024, I noticed a change in my left reconstructed breast. I knew right away something wasn’t right. In January I had a biopsy and started a new journey. In 2025, (March) I underwent a chest wall debridement/mastectomy with ALT Flap repair due to Angiosarcoma in my radiated reconstructed breast. Then I had second surgery two weeks later, a skin graft to cover the flap donor site. I am currently recovering.

In 2016, there wasn’t much information to be found on ILC. It was a blessing when I found LCBA. I have not worked with other agencies regarding ILC but I started a Facebook page to document my journey, post information and create awareness to help others. I would like to see more information on ILC for women at the time of diagnosis. 

My advice is to make yourself the priority, delegate daily tasks to focus on you.  Be your own advocate, ask questions even if they seem silly, trivial or repetitive.  Create a great support system: medically, psychologically and socially.  And journal, do things that allow you to maintain a certain sense of control.