UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is part of the UPMC family.

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Breast Cancer Patient Stories

You are not alone.

Many other people have experienced breast cancer, and the caring people who work at UPMC have guided them and their families through the often-difficult treatment process. Each person’s experience is unique, but each cancer story does hold a few elements in common.

The stories told here are real-life accounts of how our patients are living with their diagnosis with help from the expert clinicians and compassionate staff at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. 

Contact Us About Breast Cancer

To learn more about Breast Cancer or to make an appointment, you can:

Image of Kaneesha.
Breast Cancer Patient Story

Kaneesha

Kaneesha regularly got her mammograms, but found a lump in her breast months after her last checkup. Read about her cancer treatment journey and experience at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

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Image of Nikki Montgomery.
Breast Cancer Patient Story

Nikki M.

Nikki felt some unusual swelling and found a lump. Tests showed she had early-stage breast cancer. Learn about her treatment and care at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

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Marjie patient story.
Breast Cancer Patient Story

Marjorie

Marjorie's annual mammogram results came back with suspicious results. Tests and a biopsy revealed she had an early-stage breast cancer. Read about her cancer treatment journey and experience at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

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Michelene Horning
HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Patient Story

Michlene H.

Michelene's annual mammogram proved beneficial when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After finishing her treatments she now volunteers her time giving back to those who supported her.

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Image of Rebecca Babik.
HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Patient Story

Rebecca B.

Rebecca Babik thought she had just pulled a muscle. But she soon learned that the pain under her upper arm signaled a much bigger problem. The Johnstown resident was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Read about her cancer treatment journey and experience at UPMC.

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Barbie Barnes - Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Patient Story

Barbie B.

At age 27, Barbie Barnes was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Read about her cancer treatment journey and experience at UPMC.

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Jackie Trepanowski - Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Patient Story

Jackie T.

Jackie Trepanowski found out she had breast cancer while pregnant. Read about her cancer treatment journey and experience at UPMC.

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Maria Balestrieri – Breast and Endometrial Cancer
Breast and Endometrial Cancer Patient Story

Maria B.

Maria suffered from breast cancer and, later, endometrial cancer. Read about her cancer treatment journey and experience at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

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Kristel Bosworth – Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Patient Story

Kristel B.

Kristel suffered from breast cancer. Read about her cancer treatment journey and experience at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

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Esther Flick – Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer and Bone Cancer Patient Story

Esther F.

Learn more about Esther Flick and her breast and bone cancer treatments at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

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Lori Kacsur –Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer and Brain Lesion Patient Story

Lori K.

Lori suffered from breast cancer and later from lesions on the brain. Read about her cancer treatment journey and experience at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

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Susan Malik-Kelly – Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Patient Story

Susan M.

Susan suffered from breast cancer. Read about her cancer treatment journey and experience at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

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Ann Mathews – Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Patient Story

Ann M.

Ann suffered from breast cancer. Read about her cancer treatment journey and experience at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

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Roseanne Natilli – Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Patient Story

Roseanne N.

Roseanne suffered from breast cancer. Read about her cancer treatment journey and experience at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

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Nancy Linsenbigler
Nancy Linsenbigler's Patient Story

Diagnosed with an aggressive, stage II HER2 positive breast cancer, Nancy was quickly referred to a breast surgeon. Learn more about her experience at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

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Health care provider viewing mammogram on computer screen

Magee-Womens Breast Cancer Program

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is a world-class center for complete medical-surgical care in the Pittsburgh area. Teams at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Magee work together to treat breast cancer in both women and men.

Learn about the breast cancer program at Magee's website.