Woman, 32, told she was ‘too young’ for cancer despite spotting sign in bed was later diagnosed with aggressive tumour
TAYLOR Federighi was told she was “too young for cancer” before she was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms.
The 32-year-old mum-of-one was told she had triple-negative breast cancer after finding a lump when lying in bed one night.
The diagnosis came as a shock to Taylor and her family, who live in Colorado, US.
“We were surprised, sad, and angry,” she admitted.
She has had successful chemotherapy and is now awaiting a double mastectomy, a surgical procedure to remove both her breasts.
Her message to anyone who thinks there is something wrong is to trust their gut.
Her journey began when Taylor felt the lump and asked her husband, Eric, to check it.
“I made my husband feel it to make sure I wasn’t going crazy,” she said.
Luckily, she had a doctor’s appointment already scheduled, which allowed her to get it checked quickly.
But the first doctor dismissed her concerns, saying, “you’re too young – it’s probably fibrous tissue.”
Despite the reassurance, Taylor’s gut told her otherwise.
Determined to get answers, she sought a second opinion and it was that persistence that led to the shocking diagnosis: triple-negative breast cancer.
Around 280,000 women and 2,600 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the US, with approximately 15 per cent of those cases being triple-negative breast cancer.
In the UK. nearly 55,000 women and 400 men are diagnosed with the disease annually, with 15 per cent of those cases also being triple-negative.
It is called triple-negative because it lacks three molecules called receptors: the oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor two.
Chemo was hard, but I reminded myself every day that this was for my son. I had to stay strong so I could watch him grow
Taylor Federighi
“Chemo was hard, but I reminded myself every day that this was for my son. I had to stay strong so I could watch him grow.”
In other forms of breast cancer, these receptors pass signals to cancer that can cause it to grow.
Most specific breast cancer treatments work by targeting these receptors, so triple-negative is normally considered the hardest type to treat.
“Very quickly, my support team just wanted to know what the next steps were to beat this thing,” Taylor said.
In the face of the diagnosis, the mum’s determination to fight was unwavering.
“Chemo is such a surreal process,” she said.
“You barely have time to process the diagnosis before you’re heading to an infusion centre.”
The physical toll of the treatments was immense, but she stayed focused on her family, especially her young son.
“If you go in thinking, ‘Why me?’ you’re going to be miserable,” Taylor explained.
“Chemo was hard, but I reminded myself every day that this was for my son. I had to stay strong so I could watch him grow.”
Tears of joy
As she went through treatment, Taylor saw others succumb to negativity.
“I watched it eat away at people,” she shared.
“I knew I didn’t want that to be me.
“So I made sure to smile, laugh, and spread positivity wherever I could.”
After a recent scan showed no visible tumour, Taylor and Eric celebrated with tears of joy, knowing the road ahead was still long but that this was a major milestone.
“We know there’s a long road ahead until we hopefully hear the words ‘cancer-free,’ but this was a huge moment for us,” she said.
Now, as she prepares for the double mastectomy, Taylor remains focused on the future.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
The first symptom of breast cancer that most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast.
Most breast lumps are not cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by a doctor.
You should see a GP if you notice any of the following:
- a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Breast pain is not usually a symptom of breast cancer.
Source: The NHS
“I want to remove any part of me that had this horrible disease attached to it,” she said, adding that she is cherishing every moment with her family.
“I’m spending quality time with my family, making sure I have time every day for self-care and relaxation.”
Throughout this journey, Taylor’s relationship with her husband has deepened. “Eric is my rock,” she said.
“He literally picked up the extra weight where I couldn’t. We never take a moment for granted now.”
Taylor also uses her TikTok account to share her experiences, inspiring thousands along the way.
“It started as a way to process what I was going through, but it became so much more when I realised I was helping others who were fighting just like me,” she said.
“I’ve had so many messages from people telling me I’ve made their day a little easier. It really brings me to tears.”
‘Know your body’
For others facing similar challenges, Taylor offers one key piece of advice: trust your gut.
“You know your body more than anyone. Advocate for yourself, even if it seems hard,” she said.
“And keep a positive attitude. It’s half the battle.”
As her treatment nears its end, Taylor is focused on the future. “I know life will be different,” she said.
“I’ll have to mourn the old me, but I’m excited to appreciate the new things my body, mind, and soul can offer.”
Looking ahead, Taylor hopes to graduate with her master’s in nursing, find a job she loves, and make the most of every precious moment with her family.
“I want to adventure often and love hard. That’s my goal post-cancer,” she said.