In 1988, I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. I was then diagnosed again in 1997. In 2019, at my annual skin exam, the doctor noticed red spots on my thighs. She did a skin punch and it came back full of mast cells. They then did a bone biopsy to confirm mastocytosis.
Since I was adopted, they did genetic testing. While I was waiting for my results, I found my birth mother through Ancestry DNA testing. My genetic tests came back with an ATM gene mutation. It put me at higher risk for breast and pancreatic cancer. So they did an MRI of my breasts and found a tumor. The biopsy confirmed breast cancer.
October 18th 2023 marked 4 years since my breast cancer surgery. 🎀
Katie
CA
Submitted 10/18/2023
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
Katie, thank you for sharing your story!