Marci Bothwell, a 33-year-old oncology nurse, diagnosed her own breast cancer after initial medical dismissals of her symptoms.
At just 33, Marci Bothwell had just become a certified oncology nurse when she made a life-altering discovery—she found a lump in her breast. Living in southern Utah with her husband and three kids, Bothwell was well-versed in the signs of cancer, but she wasn’t expecting to notice anything unusual during a casual check inspired by an Instagram reel.
“I was checking my nipple, as I saw a post about how it might be a perfect lip color,” she recalls. Upon inspection, she discovered a small dimple, and as she pressed down, she felt an unusual hardness in her left breast. “It was quite large, and I was surprised I hadn’t noticed it before since I had recently stopped nursing my youngest child,” she shared.
Initial Medical Visits and Inconclusive Results
Concerned, Bothwell saw her primary care physician, who promptly ordered an ultrasound and mammogram. To her dismay, the ultrasound didn’t reveal much, and the mammogram also came back inconclusive. “The radiologist mentioned that there was nothing concerning and that I could wait for routine screenings until I turned 40,” she explained. This left her feeling confused and unsettled, as she knew something was wrong.
The doctor suggested it might be fibrocystic breasts, a common, benign condition. “I didn’t have a family history of cancer and thought, at my age, it couldn't possibly be malignant. I was relieved to think it was just fibrocystic changes,” Bothwell said, believing she could move forward without worry.
Changes and Urgency
However, by late December 2023, Bothwell noticed alarming changes in her breast. “The dimpling increased, and my nipple started to invert,” she recounted. Feeling uneasy, she returned to her doctor and insisted on further tests, leading to the request for a breast MRI. Unfortunately, the nearest machine was four hours away, and scheduling over the holiday season proved challenging. “I felt an ever-growing anxiety during that break, sensing something was very wrong,” she stated.
As she waited, a new lump appeared in her armpit, rapidly growing from the size of a grain of rice to that of a marble. Ultimately, she managed to secure an early MRI appointment. On her way home from the hospital, she received the life-changing call from the radiologist. “They found an 8-centimeter tumor in my breast, as well as suspicious lymph nodes,” she recalled, feeling a mix of fear and disbelief.
A Dire Diagnosis
The biopsy confirmed the worst—pleomorphic invasive lobular carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. “I had a high Ki-67 score, indicating rapid growth. The news felt overwhelming, especially with an 18-month-old son at home. I feared he wouldn’t remember me if I didn’t fight this,” Bothwell reflected.
Her oncologist acted quickly to start treatment with chemotherapy, which she underwent for five months. “My husband, a pharmacist, mixed my chemotherapy, which made the experience feel even more intimate but also challenging,” she shared. Alongside expected side effects like nausea and hair loss, she experienced unexpected intense bone pain but pushed through, aided by supportive medical staff and her family's encouragement.
Subsequently, Bothwell had a double mastectomy and axillary dissection, finding remaining traces of cancer in her lymph nodes. “My oncologist treated my cancer aggressively, reflecting the situation’s severity,” she remarked.
Triumph Over Adversity
A year after her initial symptoms, Bothwell considered herself cancer-free post-radiation therapy. To ensure ongoing health, she began utilizing Signatera, a personalized blood test to detect any residual cancer DNA. “Getting my first negative result was an incredibly uplifting moment,” she exclaimed, sharing her relief with loved ones.
However, challenges persisted when a low positive result appeared in February 2026, prompting further tests that ultimately showed no cancer. “The ups and downs became a part of my journey, but I felt empowered knowing we'd catch anything early,” she added, now undergoing PET scans every six months.
Raising Awareness and Supporting Others
Through her experience, Bothwell urges greater awareness about invasive lobular carcinoma, especially its difficulty in detection during early stages. “I learned that this type often doesn’t show up clearly on traditional imaging,” she noted. “I feel it’s essential for women to know about symptoms like thickening or any changes to avoid delays in their diagnosis.”
Now healthy, Bothwell engages deeply with her kids, cherishing every moment. “I’ve gained such gratitude from this experience and a renewed passion for nursing, now mentoring aspiring oncology nurses,” she said. “I feel like I’ve gotten a second chance at life, and I’m determined to use that gift wisely.”
