Mom, 37, diagnosed cancer after pushing for early screening: “I was amazed”

Michaela Del Barrio had always known that her family history as breast cancer meant that it presented a higher risk than most diagnostics of the disease.

In their twenties, the doctors told her that she was too young to dwell on these concerns. However, after the birth of her second child, she began to worry more about her chances.

One day, during an appointment with the standard doctor, Del Barrio asked his doctor if there were options to start receiving mammographs early. His doctor directed her to the high -risk breast clinic of Northwestern Medicine. After a risk assessmentShe had it first mammography at 36 years old. The examination was clear, but the evaluation of the clinic also allowed him to undergo breast MRI.

“A week later, I received a call saying that they had seen two suspicious masses in my left breast,” said Del Barrio. “I was amazed. I didn’t even know how to treat this.”

Del Barrio had an ultrasound and a biopsy. In mid-February, she received a diagnosis of breast cancer at an early stage. She had never had symptoms or felt a bump. Del Barrio said that she was still thinking “all the time” on what could have happened if she had not pushed to receive early projections.

“You do all the steps to take care of your health and prioritize yourself. You are not expecting to receive a call that you have cancer,” said Del Barrio. “But now I think” thank God, I spoke for myself. Thank goodness, I did it when I did it, and I did not wait. “”

“Throw everything on it”

Del Barrio has been diagnosed with an invasive canal carcinoma, a form of breast cancer that develops in breast milk channels. This is the most common type of breast cancer, representing approximately 80% of breast cancer diagnoses, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Del Barrio treatment began with surgery. Because cancer had been captured early, he had not spread beyond his left breast, said the northwest medicine oncologist, Dr Annabelle Veerapaneni. Del Barrio has decided to undergo a bilateral mastectomy to limit its chances that cancer will come back in the future. Once surgery is completed, an analysis of LED Barrio tumors has determined that it would likely benefit from chemotherapy.

“I said to myself:” I’m young. I want to make sure that I do everything and I throw everything on it so that he does not come back “, said Del Barrio.

The mother of two started chemotherapy in the summer of 2025. She was supposed to receive four treatment cycles but had to stop after three because she experienced a delayed allergic reaction which led her to explode in hives.

“I know that she was very worried not to receive this last treatment cycle, but I told her that the risk of exposure to this particular chemotherapy agent was too high depending on the clinical advantage,” said Veerapaneni. “So we had a very long heart to heart on everything, and I reassured her that she had finished most of the planned chemotherapy, and she recovered very well.”

Breast cancer diagnosis early

Women with an average risk of breast cancer are recommended to start receiving mammographies When they are 40 years old. However, those at higher risks should start earliersaid Dr. Arif Kamal, oncologist and patient director of the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer is increasing in women under the age of 50, CBS News previously reported.

Kamal said patients should be aware of their personal cancer risk. This includes knowledge of the family history of cancer and to undergo Appropriate price.

“One in 10 women is not at an average risk, and for them, they need a different plan,” said Kamal.

This could mean early mammograms or breast MRIs, such as Del Barrio, or more frequent exams. He could also include genetic tests, said Kamal. The women recommended by Kamal are starting to speak to their doctors in the middle of their twenties and to point out all the family history of cancer to develop the best action plan.

Veerapaneni said that she “shivers” to think how much the case of Del Barrio could have been worse. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, invasive canal carcinoma at an early stage has a five -year survival rate of 99%, but this number falls as the disease spreads. The most advanced cancer stadium has a five -year survival rate of only 32%.

“I really give a lot of credit to Michaela to be aware of oneself and self-optimist,” said Veerapaneni.

“One day both”

Del Barrio is currently undergoing extensive endocrine treatment treatment which implies a monthly injection and a daily pill that eliminates the production of estrogen in his body, said Veerapaneni. Del Barrio will remain on the diet for 10 years due to his youth during his diagnosis of cancer. The treatment “will considerably reduce” the risk of return of his cancer, said Veerapaneni.

Del Barrio will also undergo regular analyzes and long -term follow -up with Veerapaneni. She said she would also undergo reconstructive breast surgery at the end of the year.

“I always say:” This part is not so bad. “I can be a good patient, and I can follow all the instructions, the medication and focus on the task to be accomplished,” said Del Barrio. “I just focus on it one day.”

Del Barrio said that, hopefully, life will become “more routine” after its reconstruction and will allow its space to deal with what it has experienced in the past year.

“It’s overwhelming. You get this diagnosis that changes life, but also life is simply normal at the same time,” said Del Barrio. “I feel like I manage another project in my life, which is cancer.”