LaShae D. Rolle, MDH, CPH, was told she was “too young” to have breast cancer. Doctors dismissed her concerns multiple times before she insisted on proper testing. At just 26 years old, while studying for a PhD in cancer prevention, Rolle received a shocking diagnosis of multicentric breast cancer.
Her persistence saved her life. Despite being repeatedly told that screening wasn’t necessary at her age, Rolle pushed for a mammogram and ultrasound. The tests revealed invasive ductal carcinoma that required immediate treatment.
Now, Rolle uses her experience to advocate for early detection and self-advocacy. She’s determined to help others understand that rare doesn’t mean impossible. Her message is clear: listen to your body and never stop fighting for proper medical care.
Young Woman Notices Lump But Faces Dismissal From Medical Professionals
Rolle first noticed a small lump in October 2022. She immediately went to the doctor to get it examined. However, medical professionals assured her everything seemed fine and no further investigation was needed.
The average age for breast cancer screening is around 40 years old. Therefore, doctors considered a malignant tumor highly unlikely in someone Rolle’s age. She was essentially told not to worry about it.
A year later, in early 2023, Rolle felt the same area again. She visited the student health center at her university for a second opinion. Once again, staff members initially thought it was nothing serious.
Persistent Self-Advocacy Leads to Life-Saving Breast Cancer Detection
One doctor finally decided to order a mammogram despite the low probability. “Let me go ahead and send you for a mammogram anyway,” the physician said. That decision proved crucial for Rolle’s survival.
When Rolle called to schedule the screening, she faced resistance again. “They said, ‘You don’t really need to do a mammogram and ultrasound. You’re too young to get breast cancer,'” Rolle recalls. She refused to back down and insisted on the appointment.
“I said, ‘Well, still sign me up for that ultrasound,'” Rolle remembers. Her determination to get proper testing ultimately saved her life. The mammogram and ultrasound revealed cancer that otherwise would have gone undetected.
Ultrasound Technician’s Reaction Signals Serious Medical Emergency
The ultrasound appointment was supposed to take just 10 to 15 minutes. Rolle initially felt relaxed, even enjoying coffee while waiting. However, everything changed when the technician began the examination.
“Your girl puts the ultrasound on, and she asks, ‘How long have you had these masses?'” Rolle recalls. The technician’s concern was immediately apparent. She said she needed to find help because she had never performed a 360-degree scan before.
The brief appointment stretched to an hour. Rolle then underwent a mammogram and was told she needed a biopsy immediately. Her medical chart showed BI-RADS 5, which indicates a 95 to 100 percent chance of breast cancer.
Multicentric Breast Cancer Diagnosis Requires Full Mastectomy Surgery
Rolle received her official diagnosis through a phone call. Doctors informed her she had invasive ductal carcinoma and needed surgery. The news arrived while she was studying cancer prevention for her doctoral research.
Rolle met with a surgical oncologist to discuss treatment options. Unfortunately, she had only one choice available. A full mastectomy was necessary because the cancer was multicentric, affecting all four breast quadrants.
“The only option I had was one. It was to go ahead and get the entire breast removed,” Rolle explains. While the lack of options felt limiting, it also simplified a difficult decision. She didn’t have to agonize over multiple treatment pathways.
Cancer Spreads to Lymph Nodes Requiring Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatment
Post-surgery pathology revealed additional complications. Some cancer cells had spread to Rolle’s lymph nodes. This discovery meant more aggressive treatment would be necessary.
Rolle underwent chemotherapy following her mastectomy. After completing chemo, she received radiation therapy. Currently, she continues on hormonal therapy as part of her long-term treatment plan.
The treatment journey proved more extensive than initially anticipated. However, Rolle remained determined to fight through each phase. Her focus stayed on survival and eventual advocacy work.
Life-Threatening Blood Clot After Surgery Reinforces Importance of Self-Advocacy
Shortly after her mastectomy, Rolle developed a blood clot in her lung. She went to the emergency room with concerning symptoms. Once again, a doctor dismissed her worries as unlikely.
“The doctor was like, ‘This is not a surgery where you can get blood clots. So we don’t need to do a CT scan,'” Rolle remembers. She refused to accept this answer. Her previous experience taught her to trust her instincts.
“I said, ‘No, let’s do that CT because I learned my lesson from before, and a blood clot in your lung could be life-threatening,'” she states. The CT scan confirmed her suspicions, potentially saving her life again. Blood clots in the lung can be fatal without prompt treatment.
Cancer Survivor Advocates for Exercise and Strength During Treatment Journey
Rolle now focuses on helping other cancer patients understand their capabilities. She wants survivors to know they can exercise before, during, and after treatment. Physical activity can be incorporated into treatment regimens safely.
“The number one thing to know is that you’re strong after cancer, no matter what,” Rolle emphasizes. She believes cancer survival demonstrates incredible inner strength. The fact that someone endured treatment and continues living proves their resilience.
“The fact that you went through it, you’re here today, you’re living, you can breathe. You are stronger after cancer,” she explains. Rolle views survivorship as an opportunity to live purposefully. She encourages others to honor both their body’s strengths and limitations.
Early Detection Statistics Show Dramatic Difference in Breast Cancer Survival Rates
Rolle’s message about early detection comes from both research knowledge and personal experience. She understands the statistics better than most people. Early detection dramatically improves survival odds.
“If you look at early breast cancer, the rates for five-year survival are in the 90 percentiles,” Rolle notes. However, when cancer progresses to stage four, survival rates drop dramatically. The five-year survival rate falls below 50 percent for advanced cases.
“If I had been tested at the recommended time, I wouldn’t have been tested because I would have been dead. Straight up,” she says bluntly. Standard screening guidelines would have missed her cancer entirely. By the time she reached screening age, the disease could have been fatal.
Young Women Need to Know Their Bodies and Advocate for Proper Medical Care
Rolle’s advice for women focuses on self-knowledge and advocacy. First, women must understand what’s normal for their own bodies. This baseline knowledge helps identify when something changes or feels wrong.
“You have to listen to your body. Number one, I learned you need to get to know your body and know what your normal is so that you can act on it,” she advises. Second, women must advocate fiercely for themselves in medical settings.
“Nobody’s going to care about you more than yourself,” Rolle states plainly. She encourages women to push for testing even when doctors say it’s unnecessary. Additionally, she reminds people to use insurance if they have it or seek free clinics if they don’t.
Rare Breast Cancer Cases in Young Women Still Happen Despite Low Statistics
Rolle acknowledges that her case represents an unusual situation. Breast cancer at 26 remains statistically rare. Nevertheless, rare doesn’t mean impossible, and that distinction matters greatly.
“What happened to me is rare. But that doesn’t mean there’s a 100% chance it can’t happen to you,” she explains. Young women shouldn’t assume they’re immune to serious health conditions. Age alone doesn’t guarantee protection from disease.
“Just because somebody says something is rare doesn’t mean it’s impossible,” Rolle emphasizes. She’s made self-advocacy a 24/7 priority in her own healthcare journey. When doctors use statistics to discourage testing, she no longer listens.
Better Safe Than Sorry: Wasting Time Beats Facing Regret Later
Rolle offers straightforward advice for anyone concerned about their health. She encourages people to pursue testing even if others consider it excessive. The potential benefit far outweighs any inconvenience.
“It’s better to ‘waste people’s time’ than regret it later,” she says. Medical professionals may sometimes view certain tests as unnecessary. However, patients bear the ultimate consequences of missed diagnoses, not doctors.
“Don’t worry about what others say you don’t need,” Rolle advises. She wants people to feel empowered rather than discouraged when seeking care. Furthermore, she emphasizes that modern cancer treatments work much better when the disease is caught early.
