Nurse Diagnosed with Breast Cancer After Performing Self Exam

A 30-year-old nurse from Colorado discovered she had a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer after a patient inspired her to perform her first self-exam. Holly McCabe, who works in the oncology unit at St. Joseph Medical Center in Denver, always stressed the importance of self-exams to her patients. But it wasn't until August 2023, after seeing a patient celebrate finishing chemotherapy, that she did her own exam and found a lump. Even though she's young and has no family history of breast cancer, she was diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer that September.

Holly's journey began with the shock of discovering the lump during her self-exam. She immediately knew she needed to get it checked out and went through an ultrasound, a mammogram, and a biopsy. The process was swift and intense. She received the diagnosis while she was on her way to her brother's wedding, a moment that should have been joyous. To avoid casting a shadow over the celebration, she chose to withhold the news from her family.

Her treatment plan is extensive and rigorous. It involves 16 rounds of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, followed by a double mastectomy to remove the cancerous tissue. After the surgery, she will undergo reconstruction to rebuild her breasts, radiation therapy to target any remaining cancer cells, and nearly a year of immunotherapy to boost her body's natural defenses against the disease.

Since her diagnosis, Holly has been remarkably open about her journey. She shares her experiences on social media, documenting every step of her treatment and the emotional struggles that come with it. One significant decision she faced was whether to undergo egg retrieval before starting chemotherapy, a procedure that could preserve her fertility. Ultimately, she decided against it due to the urgency of starting her cancer treatment.

Holly's transparency has resonated with many. "I receive daily messages from others going through similar or the same journeys that my content is helping them," she told the Daily Mail. "And that brings me so much purpose during this phase of my life." Through her candid posts, she has created a community of support and solidarity, offering comfort and hope to others facing similar battles. Her story underscores the importance of self-exams, early detection, and the strength found in sharing our experiences with others.