The discomfort in her chest was overshadowed by the joy of becoming a new mother and the liveliness of her child. Aigerim (pseudonym) silently endured the mild pain without much concern. It wasn’t until the moment she was diagnosed with cancer that she truly realized the seriousness of her condition…

“Mastitis” That Never Healed—Eventually Diagnosed as Breast Cancer!

Aigerim, a 35-year-old from Kazakhstan, was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer at the end of October 2024. The cancer did not arrive without warning.

Years earlier, during a routine check-up, a small lump was found in her left breast. Local doctors told her it was likely a cyst caused by residual milk after childbirth, and that the lump would naturally disappear once her hormone levels stabilized. At the time, she had already stopped breastfeeding for a year. Trusting the doctors, she didn’t pursue further tests.

During her second pregnancy in 2024, as she approached delivery, the lump gradually grew, and her skin became red, swollen, and warm. Believing it to be mastitis caused by blocked milk ducts, she paid little attention. But after her baby was born, the lump did not disappear—it grew to 10 cm in size and was accompanied by fever. Local doctors still diagnosed it as chronic mastitis and prescribed only anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics.

“Fortunately, some other doctors suspected my case and advised me to undergo a mammogram,” she recalled. Ultimately, imaging and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis: Breast cancer, HER2 (+++), Grade 3 (G3).

△ △Breast cancer grading indicates tumor malignancy, expressed as G1, G2, or G3 in pathology reports.

Chemotherapy-Induced Liver Damage? A Mother’s Courage to Seek a Way Out

Aigerim received one cycle of intravenous chemotherapy locally, but the severe side effects deterred her from continuing. “After chemotherapy, my liver enzymes tripled, which alarmed me greatly.” Being a doctor herself, she knew that further chemotherapy could cause severe liver damage. Disappointed, she chose to stop treatment.

The consequences of halting treatment soon appeared: the lump under her armpit grew, her cough worsened, and signs of lung metastasis emerged. Her overall condition deteriorated. Thinking of her elder daughter, just 4 years old, and her newborn baby, she knew she had to fight—she could not give up any chance at survival. Determined, she began seeking alternative treatments abroad.

Aigerim researched medical institutions in Germany, Turkey, and China. She eventually set her sights on Fuda Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou, China, as its personalized, comprehensive treatment model impressed her. Some of its specialized techniques, she had only heard of in the U.S. and Israel. After thorough investigation, she made the bold decision to come to Fuda for treatment.

Combination Therapy Shrinks Tumors, Bringing Smiles

“I want to live.” On March 31, 2025, Aigerim was admitted to Fuda’s Medical Oncology Department IV, and these were her very first words to the medical team.

After completing necessary examinations, Associate Chief Physician Xing Yanli discovered that in addition to her left breast cancer, Aigerim also had multiple metastatic lesions in both lungs and multiple metastatic lymph nodes in the left axilla. Furthermore, small lymph nodes were found in both pulmonary hila, the right axilla, porta hepatis, retroperitoneum, and bilateral inguinal regions.

After multidisciplinary discussions and evaluations, Dr. Xing prescribed interventional arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy.

△ A nurse changing her dressing

“Chinese medicine, Fuda Hospital—very reliable!” During treatment, Aigerim was deeply impressed by the meticulous care, kindness, and swift responses of the Fuda medical staff.

△ Medical staff celebrating Aigerim’s birthday

After two treatment cycles, follow-up scans showed that her breast tumor had shrunk by nearly half. The axillary lymph nodes and lung metastases also reduced significantly, with some even disappearing. She then continued for three more treatment cycles, during which her tumors continued shrinking, her condition stabilized, and her weight increased by 8 kg.

When the breast tumor shrank to 3 cm, Aigerim underwent cryoablation of the left breast tumor. “The whole process was almost painless, leaving only a needle-sized wound. Afterward, I could feel the tumor softening.”

Currently, Aigerim is continuing interventional and targeted therapy. We sincerely hope she will keep recovering and getting better day by day.