Early Detection & Family Support: Katie's Journey With Breast Cancer

In January of 2019, Katie Harmon, a 33-year-old small business owner and mother of three, embarked on an unexpected journey. She was diagnosed with Extensive Ductal Carcinoma In-Situ (DCIS) in her left breast, a non-invasive form of breast cancer that had not yet spread. At the time, Katie’s children were just 5, 3, and 1, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with the fight ahead were immense. But through it all, she drew strength from her family and community.

Katie first noticed a dull pain in her left armpit that eventually radiated to her breast. Initially, she thought it was residual discomfort from nursing her youngest child. However, months passed, and the pain persisted. After commenting about it for a few months, Katie's mom and husband encouraged her to make an appointment with Dr. Akers, their family doctor, to have it looked at and request a mammogram.  "I initially noticed breast tenderness, but had a gut feeling that it was something more," Katie said. 

Katie scheduled an appointment with Dr. Akers. This appointment would change her life.

Dr. Akers was compassionate and caring when she delivered the news that Katie could be dealing with breast cancer, and she quickly arranged a biopsy.

Although Katie had no family history of breast cancer, she never felt alone. Her husband and parents stood by her side at every appointment and procedure. "It may have been a little crowded in the exam rooms," Katie recalls, "but I never felt alone."

Katie's treatment plan initially called for a bilateral mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. However, surgery revealed that the cancer had remained confined to the duct, so further treatment wasn’t necessary. Katie continued to have biannual checkups with her surgical oncologist for the next five years, relieved to be cancer-free.

But her journey took another turn nine months later when she experienced familiar pain in her left armpit, accompanied by a lump. A biopsy confirmed that DCIS had returned, or that some cells had been left behind after her previous surgery. This news was the hardest to receive, but Katie endured two more surgeries to obtain clear margins and ultimately overcame the challenge once again.

During her battle, Katie found unwavering support from her family and friends, but she also benefited from programs like Project Pink. The organization provided care packages filled with uplifting messages from other survivors and thoughtful self-care items. These small acts of kindness brought comfort and played a meaningful role in her recovery.

Katie’s message to other women is simple but powerful: “Early detection can save lives. My journey would have been drastically different had I waited just a month or two before making that appointment. Listen to your body. Schedule the appointment.”

Katie’s story is not just about surviving breast cancer—it's a testament to the strength of community and the importance of trusting your instincts when it comes to health.

—Katie Harmon
Local Small Business Owner | Rivalry

Thank you, Katie, for sharing your story in the hopes of helping others.