A breast cancer diagnosis came as a complete shock to then-30-year-old Jessica Chiupka. She had no family history of the disease and was active and otherwise healthy.
Just as unexpected was the symptom that ultimately led to her mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy.
“I was getting ready for bed, and I was really sore, almost like in my armpit, but I didn’t work out. I didn’t do anything, but it was sore as if I just did a chest day,” said Chiupka.
After a few days of discomfort and several conversations with family and friends, Chiupka took action.
She scheduled a consult with her primary care doctor, who urged her to get a mammogram.
She took the first appointment she could get with Dr. Sonya Bhole, a breast radiologist at Northwestern Medicine in Evanston.
A mammogram, ultrasound and same-day biopsy ultimately led to a stage three triple negative breast cancer diagnosis.
“Jessica did everything right,” said Bhole. “She felt something that wasn’t normal for her.”
Chiupka underwent 17 rounds of chemotherapy over six months, and the now-31-year-old is preparing for a double mastectomy with reconstruction in October.
“I think Jessica’s story is a good reminder that breast cancer isn’t just when you’re in your 40s and 50s. It’s on the rise,” said Bhole. “The American Cancer Society has found that the steepest incline is in women under 50, and that’s about 1.4% per year.”
Some women are at higher risk of breast cancer.
The American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging recommend that every woman undergo a formal breast cancer risk assessment by the age of 25. The evaluation looks at risk factors, including family history, reproductive history, dense breast tissue and past radiation therapy, before standard screening starts at 40.
Chiupka has run in three marathons, and she even completed a 5K during chemo.
She said she’s determined to continue living her life to the fullest, even though her timeline has changed.
“I have had conversations prior to getting diagnosed, with my boyfriend, of buying a house at the end of the year, you know, getting married, having children,” said Chiupka. “And all those things had to be put on hold.”
Despite the setback, she said she felt empowered to share her journey to inspire women of all ages to advocate for their own health.
“I think part of that mentality, the runner’s mentality, is what’s partially gotten me through this journey so far because it’s, ‘you got to keep going no matter how hard it is,’ and I have,” she said.
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