Kansas City, KS – At just 26, KSHB reporter Alyssa Jackson went from telling other people's stories to telling her own story as she battled breast cancer. After discovering a lump, she underwent a double mastectomy, fertility preservation and chemotherapy. Now 27, she's sharing her journey to encourage young women to recognize the warning signs. On Morning Medical Update, Alyssa and specialists from The University of Kansas Cancer Center discuss breast cancer in younger women, treatment options and preserving fertility.
Alyssa Jackson, Breast Cancer Patient and KSHB Reporter
- Alyssa discovered a large lump in her breast at age 26, leading to a mammogram and a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma.
- She underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction, along with egg retrieval to preserve her options for having children in the future.
- She shares the emotional challenges of treatment, including losing her hair and leaning on her parents.
- She opened up publicly about her diagnosis on her 27th birthday, hoping other young women will recognize that breast cancer can occur well before routine screening age.
Dr. Jamie Wagner, Breast Program Director, Breast Surgical Oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- Dr. Wagner explains why breast lumps or other changes should be evaluated regardless of a woman's age.
- She discusses breast cancer diagnoses in younger women, including those who have not yet reached the recommended age for routine mammograms.
- She explains invasive ductal carcinoma and how lymph node involvement can affect treatment decisions.
- Dr. Wagner discusses the factors involved in choosing a surgical approach, including double mastectomy and reconstruction.
- She addresses the role of family history, genetic testing and individualized breast cancer screening.
Dr. Courtney Marsh, Reproductive Endocrinologist, The University of Kansas Health System
- Dr. Marsh explains why fertility preservation should be discussed early when young women are diagnosed with cancer.
- She explains how chemotherapy and certain other cancer treatments can affect a woman's ability to become pregnant.
- She addresses why some patients may need to delay pregnancy while taking hormone therapy following breast cancer treatment.
- Dr. March discusses how long frozen eggs can be stored and why age at the time of retrieval matters.
Dr. Anne O'Dea, Hematologist and Medical Oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- Dr. O’Dea discusses seeing breast cancer diagnoses among increasingly younger women, including a patient who was just 22 years old.
- She highlights the challenge of detecting breast cancer in women who have not yet reached the age for routine screening mammograms.
- She discusses advances involving circulating tumor DNA, which may help physicians detect progression in certain advanced breast cancers before changes become visible on scans.
