Stephanie’s Story: Back in the Saddle after Breast Cancer
Stephanie Kager leads a very active life. Whether running, hiking, biking, or caring for her six children and the five horses they show competitively, she rarely slows down. No matter how busy she is, Stephanie is diligent about getting her annual breast cancer screening. Following her latest mammogram, she received a call-back for second look. She had been asked to return after past mammograms, so wasn’t overly concerned. This time, however, it was different.
The Journey Begins
Further testing, including a biopsy, revealed the 50-year-old had stage 0 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), one of the earliest forms of breast cancer. DCIS is noninvasive which means it hasn’t spread to other parts of the body.
A Series of Hard Decisions
Stephanie and her husband, both with medical backgrounds, began discussions with friends and Stephanie’s doctors to determine the best path forward. They first considered lumpectomy and radiation. After an MRI showed the area of cancer was larger than originally thought, mastectomy emerged as the best option. Surgical oncologist Dr. Marnie Kaplan would perform the surgery.
Stephanie also consulted with plastic surgeon Dr. John Bast who specializes in breast reconstruction. After considering all the options in this highly personal decision, she chose autologous reconstruction that uses a flap of tissue from a woman’s body to rebuild her breast.
Surgery and Reconstruction
In February 2019, she had a double mastectomy and breast reconstructive surgery. Because her cancer was caught very early, she did not require chemotherapy or radiation treatment. “There was not one single glitch,” smiles Stephanie. “Everything was well explained and everyone was passionate about my comfort.”
Genetic Testing
Because she is of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, and Jewish women of Eastern European descent are more likely to have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation linked to breast cancer, Stephanie was advised to undergo genetic testing. She was relieved to learn these tests were negative. BRCA1/2 mutations can be passed from either parent, affecting cancer risk in both women and men.
Back in the Saddle
Stephanie was eager to return to her active, independent life, but knew she had to listen to her doctors’ advice and take things slowly. In April, she happily returned to Saddlebrook Stables in Strasburg. At first, she took long, healing walks in the pastures surrounding the barn while her children and other co-op partners pitched in to care for the family’s horses. By July, she was loading up the horses for a 12-hour drive to a North Carolina competition. Today, Stephanie says she is in better shape than before breast cancer surgery, grateful to her family, friends and the medical community that supported her every step of the way.