Model completes treatment for triple-negative breast cancer after diagnosis at 39

A model preparing for New York Fashion Week in September 2025 discovered a lump under her arm while shaving and was later diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer after nearly two months of scheduling delays. She was 39 at the time and had spent months focusing on her physique for the runway event.

A mobile mammogram provider turned her away because she was under 40, the age at which the American Cancer Society recommends regular screening. She obtained a referral from her primary care provider in Alaska, where appointment availability was limited.

Diagnosis and treatment plan Nearly two months after finding the lump, tests confirmed triple-negative breast cancer, which accounts for 10 to 15 percent of breast cancer cases. The diagnosis also identified the BRCA-2 gene mutation, and the patient was told the cancer could not be treated with most targeted therapies.

She began a six-month chemotherapy regimen at City of Hope in Phoenix after learning that the local infusion center could not schedule her for more than a month. All appointments were consolidated at one facility, and treatment started within days of arrival.

Recovery and next steps Chemotherapy ended in March.

A double mastectomy followed in late April to reduce recurrence risk. In May, her oncologist informed her that scans showed no evidence of cancer. She returned to Alaska in early June in time for her son's 12th birthday. She plans to resume strength training and runway work while prioritizing time with family.