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Physician Assistant Beats Stage 4 Cancer, Leads Race for Cure
20 Oct
Summary
- Senior physician assistant diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
- Navigated demanding treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Now advocates for breast cancer funding and awareness.
Lily Cabezon, a senior physician assistant specializing in Urologic Oncology, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2020. The cancer had metastasized to her thoracic spine, a grim prognosis that profoundly impacted her life and studies.
Navigating her diagnosis and subsequent treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges, including limited in-person support. Cabezon underwent rigorous treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, a double mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery.
Despite her personal health crisis, Cabezon continued working in a reduced capacity, utilizing her experience to foster deeper empathy with her patients. She noted significant advancements in immunotherapy as a game-changer for previously untreatable conditions like triple-positive breast cancer.
Cabezon is now channeling her resilience into advocacy. Six years after her diagnosis, she is set to lead a contingent across the Brooklyn Bridge for the Susan G. Komen Foundation's Race for the Cure, aiming to raise awareness and crucial funding for breast cancer research.
