Rebecca Dougherty

Diagnosis Stage: Early-Stage

Old Brookville, NY

Picture of Rebecca Dougherty

In June of 2012 Rebecca felt a lump in her right breast during a self breast exam. Thirty eight and without a significant family history of breast cancer, she monitored the lump, hoping it would disappear as mysteriously as it had appeared. She asked her GYN to examine the area during a routine yearly appointment. She recommended it be evaluated with an ultrasound and mammogram. An area of concern was discovered, and she was referred to a surgeon who biopsied the area on Halloween. Trick or treating with her three children that evening: Quinn 8, Fiona 5, and Liam 2, she thought “soon this will be behind me.” Two days later, she learned she had invasive breast cancer.

Subsequent testing revealed that another area in the same breast was concerning for DCIS. Unilateral mastectomy and reconstruction with a tissue expander was recommended. Her tumor was ER/PR positive, and following surgery, she started on a ten year course of hormonal therapy with Tamoxifen.

In the spirit of LBBC and determined to “live beyond her cancer,” she returned to work two weeks after the mastectomy. An internal medicine physician who cares for patients in the hospital and supervises medical students and residents, she found that the time at work helped her to move forward and that the experience of being a patient deepened her own practice of medicine. She is grateful for the tremendous support from colleagues, friends and especially her family.

One month following her final reconstructive procedure, she and her husband ran the 10-mile broad street run in Philadelphia. Running has helped her to stay physically and emotionally grounded during the experience.