Courtesy of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Services

Breast cancer runs in Kristy Tubiolo’s family, so being diagnosed in 2016 at age 35 wasn’t a surprise, but also wasn’t expected. An active, athletic person, Kristy was coming home from yoga class the day she felt the lump.

Kristy’s maternal grandmother died from breast cancer and there are other cancers in her family history, but she knew she did not have any genetic mutations. Kristy’s mom had a history of benign tumors, so doctors assumed Kristy’s imaging would also be benign. However, Kristy’s mammogram and biopsy revealed a 2-centimeter tumor and a diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer. Then, 7 months later, Kristy’s mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and a cancerous spot was found on Kristy’s thyroid.

Kristy’s thyroid was completely removed, and she underwent a lumpectomy and chemotherapy for her breast cancer. Her physician, Jessica Young, MD, FACS, Director of the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Prevention Program at Roswell Park, guided her treatment. “Dr. Young told me that the survival results are almost exactly the same, whether I have a mastectomy or a lumpectomy.”

Seven years later, Kristy and her mother are cancer-free and doing well. However, Kristy says, “Even all these years later, I feel like you don’t necessarily fully process what you went through. I was just in a mode of getting through every day and then getting my mom through her day. Your image takes a hit, your confidence takes a hit. I’m plagued with trying to build myself back up.” Kristy, who initially lost her hair, looks a lot more like herself now. She is dealing with medications to keep her body functioning normally due to her thyroid removal, and carries fears about cancer recurrence.

To get through the tough moments, Kristy got involved in Roswell Park’s Survivorship program, which offers counseling and other services for people who have completed treatment and are trying to readjust to life after cancer. Noting the difference the program has made, she says, “I feel like a whole person again.”

Dr. Mary Reid, Director of Survivorship at Roswell Park, helped Kristy transition out of active treatment to life after cancer, where patients receive referrals for physical and occupational therapy, Reiki, nutritional counseling, mental health help, and other care. “We talk about prevention, exercise, diet, and alcohol and tobacco use,” says Dr. Reid. Tessa Faye Flores, MD, Medical Director of Cancer Screening and Survivorship at Roswell Park, says the program is comprehensive and holistic.

In addition to encouraging patients to benefit from the Survivorship program, Kristy wants people to be their own best advocates. She also tells people about the importance of knowing their family history when it comes to cancer and to consider genetic testing to better understand their risks. “If there’s a way to know something that’s going to potentially help you improve your chances of getting well or staying well, do it. That’s how you keep your control.”

Visit www.roswellpark.org/survivorship to learn more about Roswell Park’s Cancer Survivorship Program. To make an appointment at Roswell, call 1-800-767-9355 today.