Young Woman Battles Stage 3 Breast Cancer at 26

Iris Di Cesare received a Stage 3 invasive breast cancer diagnosis at the young age of 26 in April 2022. Her journey began years earlier when she found a benign fibroadenoma, a noncancerous tumor, in 2016. This prior experience made her more vigilant when she discovered a second, larger lump in February 2022.

By April 2022, the lump had grown significantly, prompting medical investigation. Ultrasounds, mammograms, and a biopsy confirmed the presence of invasive, hormone-positive, ductal carcinoma. Doctors noted changes around her nipple, a potential cancer symptom.

Di Cesare's treatment commenced swiftly in May 2022 with chemotherapy. She underwent a nipple-sparing double mastectomy in September 2022, despite data suggesting it might not improve survival rates for unilateral cancer. She also had 20 lymph nodes removed, finding cancer in two.

Her treatment continued with 25 days of daily radiation therapy and four breast reconstruction surgeries. She now experiences significant fatigue, hot flashes, insomnia, and sexual changes due to medically induced menopause and required medications.

The financial strain of her treatment was immense, especially after switching to her own insurance plan. She faced thousands of dollars in deductibles and co-pays. After losing her job when her company went under, she secured state insurance and aid through the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program.

This experience underscores the concept of "financial toxicity" in cancer care. Even with insurance, out-of-pocket costs can reach tens of thousands annually. Support programs like SSDI, SSI, Medicaid, and Medicare can offer crucial assistance during such challenging times.

Di Cesare now shares her story to raise awareness about breast cancer symptoms and the importance of knowing one's baseline breast health. She encourages women to be familiar with their bodies and seek medical attention promptly if changes are detected.