My Breast Cancer Story 

Words by Elizabeth Peterson 

In 2021, at 33 years old and just two weeks before my wedding, I noticed a small mass on the right side of my chest as I was preparing for bed. Concerned, I scheduled an appointment with my nurse practitioner Tiffany Kaufman in Murrieta. I had only seen her once before, as my fiancé George and I had recently relocated to Southern California. 

With no family history of breast cancer and testing negative for the BRCA gene, I believed I was too young to worry. At 33, most women are still seven years away from when breast cancer screenings become more routine. However, because my nurse practitioner had a close friend diagnosed with the disease in her early 30s, she insisted I get a diagnostic mammogram. 

The following week, I went in for the mammogram, and also received an ultrasound, though some health care providers were hesitant. They thought it unnecessary, given my age, and assumed I was fine. I was preparing for my wedding with gym workouts that were more vigorous than usual. Maybe it was just a pulled muscle. 

After the tests, I was encouraged to go enjoy my nuptials in Scotland. And I did, completely unaware of what was to come.  

While overseas, I had little access to voicemail. Upon returning home, I found seven urgent messages from my nurse practitioner’s office. The news was grim. The mammogram revealed a three-inch lesion beneath my right breast, stretching to my armpit. 

Over the next four months, I underwent numerous tests and procedures, preparing for a mastectomy of my right breast, followed by reconstructive surgery. Because of my age and the nature of my cancer, I was placed on a 10-year treatment plan that induced menopause to prevent the hormones that fueled my cancer from recurring. 

When having children was discussed, the possibility was daunting. It was technically possible but would involve delivering prematurely by cesarean section, followed by chemotherapy to prevent pregnancy hormones from fueling more cancer growth. In the end, George and I chose adoption, and today we have a beautiful 18-month-old daughter named Grace. 

A few months later, I had mammoplasty on my left breast to restore symmetry. Today, I am cancer-free, though I continue monthly exams to monitor my health. Naturally, I hope that the cancer never returns. 

I share my story in the hopes of helping others. When I first opened up about my diagnosis at my previous job, one of my closest colleagues revealed she had been through the same experience, becoming an immense source of support during my initial treatment. Now, I want to offer that same support to anyone at DAP Health who may be facing a similar journey. 

I also urge all health care providers to be vigilant, to trust their instincts, and to take seriously any young woman who suspects something may be wrong with her breasts. My nurse practitioner’s vigilance — rooted in her own personal experience — made all the difference in my early diagnosis. Without her, my story could have had a very different ending.