Tiffany is an open book when she talks about her health journey — and how a painless, pencil-eraser-sized lump in her breast led to a breast cancer diagnosis that she says changed her life…for the better.
Tiffany was just 28 years old when she was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, the most common form of breast cancer. After feeling a lump in her breast during a morning stretch, she made an appointment with her then Duly Primary Care Provider (PCP) out of caution and curiosity. She was young and had no medical history on either side of her family. It had to be nothing, she thought.
“I honestly didn’t think anything of it. After the second biopsy was ordered, that’s when I knew something was off,” she says. “You normally don’t get a second biopsy done for no reason, but knew I was in good hands with Duly.”
Tiffany, now 38, appreciates how her doctor was aggressive with her screening — not considering Tiffany’s favorable age and medical history as reasons to wait it out. With her breast cancer diagnosis, Tiffany was also diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that greatly increases the risk of developing several types of cancer. Her Radiation Oncologist at the time proactively screened her for the disorder, which would later contribute to additional uterine and skin cancer diagnoses.
“Throughout my breast cancer journey and beyond, there was no doubt in my mind that Duly would take care of me. All my care teams— Primary Care, Oncology, Surgery, Physical Therapy, Radiology, Infusion Centers, Genetics, Plastic Surgery and more — worked so closely together to make sure everything was taken care of,” she says.
“I never had to go outside of Duly,” she says. “I love this company so much — as a patient and now as a team member.”
During her treatment, Tiffany joined Duly as a part-time receptionist in 2014, prompted by the extraordinary care she received as a Duly patient. With her incredible team member bonds, she’s also found a love for the administrative side of patient care in her recent role at Duly as a Director of Musculoskeletal Ancillary Operations.
Before her experience at Duly, Tiffany’s career had focused on hospitality. The tireless effort and empathy from Duly’s team members truly left a mark on both her personal and professional lives.
“Cancer gave me purpose, but Duly gave me a home,” she shared.
Since her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, Tiffany has taken ownership of her health…and her life. She stays hyper-aware of her body and meets and communicates regularly with Daniel Frank, MD, Hematology & Oncology. Today, she wakes up every morning and chooses to not let her health journey define her. She embodies a “why not” mentality and focuses her energy on the things that bring her joy. Since completing her treatment, Tiffany has been flourishing by:
- Traveling the world with her husband to places such as Scotland, Puerto Rico, and the Smoky Mountains
- Exploring and mastering landscape photography
- Completing her Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration at Johns Hopkins University
- Spending time with her family, especially her nephews and niece
These are all extraordinary experiences for her, simply because she’s alive to experience them.
“I strive to live my life unselfishly by making someone’s day better than it was yesterday,” she says. “I’m flourishing when other people are.”
Tiffany still has the t‑shirt she wore to her first chemotherapy treatment to remind her how far she’s come and how much her life has changed in 10 years. She says there’s just “something about the shirt” that brings her back.
“I am not one to seek and thrive in a lot of attention,” says Tiffany. “However, I am proud to share my story and honored if I can have an impact on one person’s life by encouraging them to prioritize their health.”
Duly Health and Care is committed to preventing breast cancer and supporting those who have been affected by it. Early detection is critical and regular breast exams are your first line of defense against breast cancer. Performing self-exams, completing an annual clinical breast exam and screening mammography can identify changes in your breasts early on when they are most treatable. Learn more about screening recommendations for women of all ages >
If you are a woman over the age of 40 or have an increased risk for breast cancer, keep up to date on your recommended annual screening mammogram. Schedule your mammogram online today >
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