2022 Survivor Profile - Jennifer Moran

Jennifer Moran, a self-confessed sun worshipper, always thought if something were to “get her,” it would be skin cancer. The Lindenhurst resident and dental assistant, who has no family history of breast cancer, was stunned when her radiologist said that her first screening breast ultrasound in November 2017 showed “something” abnormal. A biopsy revealed two types of cancer in her left breast: ductal carcinoma in situ, cancer inside the milk duct, and invasive ductal carcinoma, a cancer of the milk duct that invades the surrounding breast tissue.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Jennifer, who had undergone a baseline mammogram (the first mammogram used for comparison for follow-up screenings) at age 35 and then another mammogram at 37, that both showed a high degree of breast density, making it difficult for radiologists to spot cancer.

She opted for a mastectomy of the left breast. But during the surgery, doctors found not only the two areas of cancer, but lobular carcinoma in situ, abnormal cells that form inside the milk glands or lobules.

“My breast surgeon said I might have had the cancer for 15 years,” said Jennifer, who together with her doctors marveled that the breast cancer had not spread to other parts of her body. Consequently, she did not require chemotherapy or radiation.

Although she says she was very lucky that she could forego treatment, she encountered serious surgical complications and required six transfusions.

Despite her ordeal, she remained positive. “I focused on what the outcome would be and also focused on the fact that I didn’t need chemo and radiation or that I didn’t lose my hair,” recalled Jennifer, now 46.

The support and advocacy nonprofit, Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition, helped her cope by providing encouragement and financial assistance. “They were a great resource for me,” Jennifer said.

Cancer-free for five years, she advises other women facing a breast cancer diagnosis to “research your doctors, your cancer and get a good support system to be with you through this,” she said. “Keep as positive as you can, because it’s all about attitude, which makes everything easier.”