Stage one, double mastectomy, and a woman who refuses to keep breast cancer quiet.

Marla Hurley is a business owner, fashion show producer, and mother of three who found a lump high on her chest, pushed for answers, and chose an aggressive surgical path that let her skip chemo and radiation. From dense breasts and high risk screening to posting every step of reconstruction and inspiring other women to get their first mammogram, Marla shows how early detection and honesty can save lives.

If this story has helped you think differently about mammograms and breast health, share this episode with family and friends and consider making a donation at therose.org so another woman gets the care she needs.

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Key Questions Answered

1. How did Marla first notice something was wrong and what made her act quickly?
2. What does it mean to have dense breasts and a high risk status for breast cancer?
3. How did regular diagnostic mammograms shape her outlook when she found the lump?
4. What was the process from initial imaging to biopsy and a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma?
5. Why did Marla choose a double mastectomy over lumpectomy with chemo and radiation?
6. What did surgeons find during surgery that imaging had missed and how did that change her treatment?
7. Why is she taking a long term medication for five to ten years and what does it do for recurrence risk?
8. What was recovery like from mastectomy and reconstruction, including expanders, fills, and the “great deflate?”
9. How did family, friends, and her three adult children support her through diagnosis and surgery?
10. How did posting her journey online lead other women to schedule mammograms and catch cancer early?