Breast Cancer Survivors

Breast cancer survivors at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) have a story to tell. In this section, you will read the personal accounts of breast cancer survivors who came to CTCA and found a comprehensive approach to breast cancer treatment. Their stories are ones of courage, determination and hope.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the breast. Although the disease occurs mostly in women, men can get breast cancer too. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast. Cancer that begins in the lobules (milk-making glands) of the breast is called lobular carcinoma. Another, less common, type of breast cancer is inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).

To learn more about breast cancer and the integrative breast cancer treatment options available at CTCA, visit our Breast Cancer Center.

CTCA Breast Cancer Survivors Speak Up

To learn about what makes CTCA different and how we can help you fight breast cancer, read our survivor stories. Breast cancer survivors will share with you how they first found hope, and then healing, at CTCA.

Beth Moksu (Stage II Breast Cancer Survivor)

When Beth told her radiologist that she wanted brachytherapy rather than external beam radiation, he told her that was barbaric. So Beth fired him and called Dr. Doug Kelly at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa. Within a few weeks, she was in Tulsa undergoing five days of brachytherapy.

Read Beth’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Carin Hansen

“For the past four and a half years I have visited CTCA over a dozen times. Each time I am overwhelmed with the graciousness and concern of all the staff. The care each patient is given is unmatched anywhere. The doctors spend as much time with each patient as needed, you never feel rushed to leave so they can get to another patient.”

Read Carin’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Carol Lareau

In October 2001, at the age of 42, Carol’s initial mammogram showed a suspicious mass. She was very uncomfortable with the direction her treatment approach appeared to be taking, so she came to CTCA. Today, she is cancer free.

Read Carol’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Claudia Harris

“The moment I walked through the door, I felt this hospital was different. It had a homey feeling and they treated all of me—mind, body, and spirit. I had great care.”

Read Claudia’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Darlene Kipling

“In 1990 I became an employee of Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center. I worked as an RN, busily giving chemo and looking after our patients. I never even gave a thought to the fact that one day I might be one of the patients dealing with cancer.”

Read Darlene’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Darlene Smith

“I have been back to CTCA many times and have learned so much about nutrition, eating the right foods, [and] how to cope with my fears. The staff and personnel show so much love it flows throughout the center.”

Read Darlene’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Dianne Mann

“Through this crisis, CTCA showed me that nutrition, exercise and a positive attitude can [help] bring you back to health. God showed me how to use His love more fully to fulfill my life and make me whole again.”

Read Dianne’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Fairy Weeks

“The weeks spent in the cancer center probably were some of the best days of my life. During this time, I met some of my dearest friends, friendships that mean so much to my survival and me.”

Read Fairy’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Gretchen Rohlff

“The doctors and entire staff are very warm, compassionate, supportive people, and they treat you like a human being. This is the first time I have ever had a doctor hug me and pray with me!! I was first filled with hope and treated with love and care. As of April 2000 I continue to be healthy with no disease detectable and I have an excellent quality of life.”

Read Gretchen’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Hazel Muhlenbruch

“We felt an immediate kinship with the staff, physicians, and other patients who were there for treatment. There was never a complaint uttered, only an up-beat attitude among the patients in various stages of cancer and treatment. There was this understood feeling that we were in this fight against cancer together.”

Read Hazel’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Julie Keifrider

“There are no maps or guides for this voyage, only a sense of being lost and hopeless. However, for me it would be just the beginning of a positive journey of hope, and it would be found at CTCA. I will not say there were no roadblocks because there were, but I knew I could always count on the CTCA team to make it better.”

Read Julie’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

LaTonya Miller Brockington

“As I recall that first phone call to CTCA, I remember thinking that I had received more knowledge and empowerment from that one phone call than I had received in the past 12 months. Healing is a package deal, mind, body and soul and I am so grateful that CTCA recognizes that.”

Read LaTonya’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Laura Brokaw (Stage III Breast Cancer Survivor)

“I’ll never forget the first group session I attended for patients and families. I sat quietly in the back of the room and listened as people shared their stories. That was when one patient said that being at CTCA made them feel cancer was a gift. Those words really stayed with me and I came to live that statement.”

Read Laura’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Lynette Bisconti

Just two weeks after learning she was pregnant, Lynette was diagnosed with breast cancer. The surgeon told her that she must terminate the pregnancy immediately believing that the pregnancy hormones would fuel the cancer. On a referral from a family friend, she called CTCA.

Read Lynette’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Neroli Duffy

“As a former medical doctor in Australia and now a minister, I was so relieved to find a center that offered the best of medical care while paying attention to the whole person. My friends, family and co-workers were surprised and delighted that I looked so well while undergoing cancer treatment.”

Read Neroli’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Nicole Cyrille (Stage IIIA Breast Cancer Survivor)

“After three days of seeing the compassion and commitment emanating from my care team at CTCA—which also included a surgical oncologist, psychologist, naturopath, pain management coordinator and nutritionist—I was convinced that CTCA was where I should be. I promptly cancelled my appointments with the other cancer hospitals.”

Read Nicole’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Rose Sajuan

“When I asked the doctors about having my family included in the treatment decisions, they said, “By all means! We want them there.” They allowed my children to be part of all the discussions and decision making. That meant a lot to me because I don’t keep anything from my children.”

Read Rose’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Shirley Williams

“The representative made all the arrangements for me, and I was at CTCA in just a few days. When my husband and I walked into the center, we were treated with love. The people who work there are so friendly and helpful. As we looked around us, we could see and feel a lot hope.”

Read Shirley’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Sue Smith

“Here at CTCA, our spirits are treated. When my spirit is fed and loved and encouraged there is a remarkable difference in my life. I feel hope, joy and LIFE. CTCA hires people who smile, hug, educate and want us to live and live abundantly. We catch and receive it with open arms because WE WANT TO LIVE.”

Read Sue’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Tia Clarke (Metastatic Breast Cancer Survivor)

“One fateful Saturday morning at 2 a.m., I saw a commercial on television about Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I sobbingly reached for my cell phone and dialed the 800 number on the TV screen. After 35 minutes, Debbie had calmed me down and reassured me that there was always hope.”

Read Tia’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Susan Ginther

“I decided to visit CTCA at Midwestern Regional Medical Center in Zion, Illinois for a little look-see. But as soon as I walked in the door, I knew I was in the right place. It was like a piece of heaven. I was welcomed with open arms.”

Read Susan’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Terrece Crawford (Stage II Breast Cancer Survivor)

"When we arrived at CTCA at Midwestern Regional Medical Center, I was scared and anxious. Yet, as we walked into the building, it was like a wave of peace just came over us. I immediately began to feel like my burden was being lifted by the friendly, sincere and compassionate people everywhere I looked.”

Read Terrece’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story