My Breast Cancer Story By Millie Hubbard, RN

I’m sharing my journey in the hope that it might provide guidance, support, or encouragement to another woman facing a similar experience.

The Unexpected Signs

In December 2020, while visiting my daughter and grandkids in Rocklin, Northern California, I felt uplifted. I had just lost a few pounds with the help of a nutritionist, and I was in high spirits. But that night, something unexpected happened. After changing into my pajamas, I noticed a discharge coming from my right nipple, leaving a wet spot on my shirt. As a Registered Nurse, I immediately knew this wasn’t normal. Shocked, I shared this with my daughter, trying to downplay it. “It could be nothing,” I said, remembering the nipple discharge I had experienced in my younger years.

It was the weekend, so on Monday, I called my doctor. She urged me to come in for an evaluation as soon as I got back to Long Beach. I had a gut feeling something was wrong.

What Prompted Me to Get Checked

I couldn’t ignore this new symptom, especially with my family history. Both my mom and grandmother had breast cancer, and my mom’s cancer, like mine, had started in the right breast. My mom and grandmother both had mastectomies and lived into their 80s, eventually passing from unrelated causes.

A year before, I had another issue with my right breast—sudden swelling, redness, and pain accompanied by a fever. My doctor diagnosed it as an abscess and treated me with antibiotics. I underwent a biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis. At the time, I also had genetic testing for breast cancer, which came back negative. Everything seemed fine… until this new discharge appeared.

Given my history and this unsettling symptom, my doctor ordered a full workup. The ultrasound showed the abscess from a year ago had resolved. The labs came back normal, and the biopsy of the discharge revealed benign cells. The medical team suspected a benign papilloma, a non-cancerous growth in the duct. An ultrasound-guided biopsy followed, along with the insertion of a metal marker. The biopsy, surprisingly, showed normal cells. I was told to monitor for changes, and a follow-up was scheduled in three months.

But I couldn't shake the anxiety. I returned for my follow-up in May, five months later. By then, I was consumed by the thought that this might be breast cancer. The stress of my husband’s recent Parkinson’s diagnosis, the challenges of the COVID pandemic, and his recent retirement added to the overwhelming sense of uncertainty. I knew I had to focus on my health but feared what I might discover.

The Biopsy

I finally saw the Medical Director, a respected breast specialist. She advised me to have the papilloma removed, given my family history, the ongoing discharge, and my growing anxiety. I was scheduled for surgery on May 21, 2021.

 Before the procedure, I asked my surgeon, Dr. Cullinane, to be conservative with the tissue removal, worried about asymmetry in my breasts. Despite my request, she removed a larger specimen, including part of the nipple, performing a partial mastectomy to ensure she safely removed everything. I’m grateful she did.

That night, while resting at home, I got a call from Dr. Cullinane. “Well, we found the papilloma,” she began, “but on the ninth and final pathology slide, we found something else.” It was nuclear grade 3 DCIS, a fast-growing type of breast cancer. Left untreated, it could have become invasive.

 A Close Call

The news shook me. Just a week before the surgery, I had undergone an MRI, a mammogram, and an ultrasound. None of the imaging detected the cancer. Dr. Cullinane explained that the cancer cells hadn’t yet “sparkled”—meaning they hadn’t started to grow and die in a way that would show up on a mammogram. My cancer had been caught so early that it was essentially invisible on imaging.

Though grateful, I was terrified. I immediately thought of my mother and grandmother, who had both lived long lives after undergoing mastectomies. Without hesitation, I told Dr. Cullinane, “I want a double mastectomy.” It had been on my mind for years, and I knew that my worry would persist if I didn’t take this step. Dr. Cullinane explained that it wasn’t medically necessary to remove the unaffected breast, but I pressed her— “How do you know it’s not there, too?” I couldn’t risk it.

A Decision Made with Faith

As surreal as it sounds, I felt lucky. Lucky that the cancer was caught so early. Lucky that I had listened to the breadcrumb trail of signs, leading me to this discovery. It was hard to believe how something as small as a discharge—a symptom that could have easily been ignored—turned out to be a life-saving clue.

My journey continues, but my story doesn’t end here. I share this not to dwell on the fear or uncertainty but to remind others to trust their instincts, to be proactive about their health, and to never dismiss what their body is trying to tell them. My family history, my intuition, and the skill of my medical team saved my life. And if you’re reading this, I hope it encourages you to do the same. Listen to your body, ask the questions, and always take the next step—even if it’s a mountain you’re afraid to climb.

Millie’s story exemplifies the power of trusting your instincts and advocating for your health. It’s a reminder that even in the face of uncertainty, you can find strength and, ultimately, survival.

(What my decision has meant and my experience with mastectomies in Part 2)