“I’m Thankful I Caught It Early.” Sasha’s Journey Through Breast Cancer Care

When 31-year-old scientist Alexandra (Sasha) Vorobyov felt an unusual lump in her breast, she trusted her instincts.

"I woke up in the middle of the night, rolled over, and felt something in my left breast," Sasha said. "I thought maybe it was because of birth control, so I stopped taking it and waited a month. It didn't go away. I decided to message my doctor."

That decision set in motion a whirlwind of appointments and life-saving care at Franciscan Health Cancer Center.

A Surprise Diagnosis At 31

Sasha lives in Greenwood, Indiana, with her husband. A scientist who runs protein-binding assays for pharmaceutical compounds, she describes herself as a planner and a problem solver. But cancer was never part of her plans.

"They got me in the same day," she said. "The mammogram led to an ultrasound, then other tests. Honestly, at that point, I just knew it was cancer."

The radiologist confirmed Sasha's fear: breast cancer. Additional tests gave her and her team critical information to guide treatment. Genetic testing revealed she carried a BRCA1 gene mutation, a genetic change that raises the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Pathology results showed she had an aggressive type of breast cancer, triple negative, which doesn't respond to hormone therapy.

"My first question was, can I work?" she said with a laugh. "It's who I am. I like to know my options."

Coordinated, Fast Cancer Care

Within weeks, Sasha had a plan in place. It all happened fast, and she is grateful for that.

"Diagnosis, port placement, treatment, boom. Less than a month," she said.

Her treatment included 16 rounds of chemotherapy over 24 weeks, a double mastectomy (removal of both breasts) to lower her risk and plans for breast reconstructive surgery.

She will also take an oral chemotherapy pill for a year to help prevent recurrence.

Before Sasha began chemotherapy, her care team performed a baseline echocardiogram, is an ultrasound that shows how well the heart pumps blood. Some chemotherapy drugs can stress the heart, so doctors use this test to measure heart function before treatment and watch for changes over time.

"It's very reassuring," Sasha said. "Everyone already knows your history before you walk in. They communicate. They care."

A Support System That Made A Difference

Sasha praised her care team and her husband, who stayed by her side through every stage.

"They always talk about the person with cancer, but not about their partners," Sasha said. "He dealt with my good days and my bad days. A support circle matters and it's important to seek help. It's okay to ask for what you need."

She also met with a gynecologic oncologist to talk about future steps, since BRCA1 raises the risk of ovarian cancer.

"They laid out all the options, all the percentages. I've been a part of every decision," she said.

Finding Strength And Purpose

Sasha refused to let cancer define her. She applied for jobs, even while in treatment.

"I was transparent about my diagnosis," she said. "I told myself, cancer is just a condition I have. It doesn't stop me from living."

She adapted treatments to her work schedule.

"I took the tougher chemo on Fridays so I could recover over the weekend," she said. "If you think you can do it, you can do it."

Cancer Treatment Advice For Others

Sasha now encourages others to know their bodies and speak up.

"You know your body best. If you feel something unusual, even the slightest doubt, get it checked," she said. "Yes, it's awkward. But it's better than cancer."

She also reminds women to get mammograms and follow through with any concerns. "It could mean the difference between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy. Take control over what you can."

Gratitude For A Caring Cancer Team

Despite the challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, Sasha has deep gratitude and hope.

"It sounds crazy, but cancer is not the worst thing that can happen," she said. "Here at Franciscan Health, people know what they're doing. They make this process as easy as possible. When you go every week, you feel comfortable. The nurses know you by name. The doctors answered every question, even when I asked for clinical trial data, they sent it to me."

Sasha said with a smile, "If you're going to have cancer, Franciscan Health is the way to go. Ten out of ten I would recommend them."

Looking Ahead: Support After Treatment

Many patients who complete treatment look for ways to rebuild strength and confidence. Franciscan Health offers Moving Beyond, a survivorship program that provides resources, education and support to help you thrive after cancer care.

Do you want to learn more about cancer care, genetic testing or survivorship? Franciscan Health's convenient Cancer Center locations offer expert teams, comprehensive treatment and support services to help you take the next step.