Northeast Ohio Nurse Raises Awareness for Lobular Breast Cancer Through Personal Journey

Raising Awareness for Lobular Breast Cancer: A Personal Story and Insights on a Rare Cancer Type

CLEVELAND, OH — October 15 marks an important day in the fight against breast cancer: Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day. This lesser-known subtype of breast cancer accounts for about 15% of all breast cancer cases diagnosed in the United States, yet it often remains in the shadows due to a lack of specific targeted therapies and awareness campaigns.

While many are familiar with common types of breast cancer, such as ductal carcinoma, lobular breast cancer (LBC) has unique characteristics that make it particularly challenging to detect. As a result, the need for education and awareness around this specific condition is paramount.

One powerful story comes from 37-year-old Katie Fioritto, who just today began radiation therapy for her own battle with lobular breast cancer. After undergoing a double mastectomy and chemotherapy, this journey of resilience exemplifies the strength of those impacted by this disease. Katie is not just a patient but also a nurse, giving her a unique perspective on the challenges her family has faced with breast cancer. She’s the youngest of seven siblings but is the fourth in her family to receive a breast cancer diagnosis.

“My mother had lobular breast cancer in her seventies, and both of my sisters had ductal carcinoma,” Katie shared, offering insight into the familial patterns often seen in such cases. Despite having a heightened awareness of her risk, Katie admitted she never anticipated facing a breast cancer diagnosis at such a young age.

Reflecting on her early detection, Katie credits her mother’s and sisters’ previous diagnoses with saving her life. “Their experiences encouraged me to take my health seriously and seek out high-risk screenings sooner,” she explained. “It’s crucial to advocate for yourself and be diligent about regular check-ups.”

Her fight has led Katie to become a passionate advocate for breast cancer awareness. She wants others to understand the complexities surrounding lobular breast cancer, particularly its elusive nature in screenings. According to Dr. Megan Kruse from the Cleveland Clinic, lobular breast cancer cells tend to grow in a unique pattern that can easily evade detection on mammograms. Unlike the more common ductal cancers, which often form solid lumps, lobular cancers can resemble a “spider web or ivy,” infiltrating the breast tissue in single-file lines. “This makes it significantly harder to detect, even with advanced imaging technologies,” Dr. Kruse elaborated.

Despite Katie’s strong family history of breast cancer, genetic testing did not reveal any identifiable abnormalities. “This doesn’t rule out hereditary risk factors,” Dr. Kruse cautioned, noting that sometimes science has yet to uncover the genetic changes responsible for familial breast cancer, especially in families like Katie’s where there’s a pronounced history of the disease.

For women at higher risk, doctors often recommend MRI scans over traditional mammograms since MRIs can detect lobular breast cancer more effectively. Katie hopes her story serves as a reminder for women everywhere that regular self-examinations and screenings are essential. “You only have one body, and it’s vital to care for it,” she expressed, emphasizing the need for proactive health management.

According to the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance, invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the sixth most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in the U.S., with over 46,000 new cases each year. ILC was only recently recognized as a distinct subtype of breast cancer, following a deeper understanding of its biological characteristics in 2015.

One of the unique features of ILC tumors is the lack of the protein E-cadherin, which plays a role in cell adhesion. This absence contributes to the tumors’ atypical presentation, making them harder to detect through routine screenings. As Katie encourages, recognizing the signs of lobular breast cancer and promptly reporting any breast changes to healthcare providers is essential for early intervention.

For more information on the signs and symptoms of lobular breast cancer, resources can be found at lobularbreastcancer.org. Awareness is the first step in making strides against this often-overlooked type of breast cancer, ensuring that women like Katie have the voices and support they need as they navigate their healthcare journeys.

By shining a light on these critical issues and sharing personal stories, we can create a community of awareness and advocacy, ensuring that the fight against all forms of breast cancer continues to grow stronger.