Many breast cancer survivors would tell you that the day they were diagnosed was the hardest day of their lives. For Brandi Ellis, a Las Vegas mother of three diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma in May 2020, the first thing she did was walk downstairs to tell her family — her “first line of defense,” as she calls them. The next step was meeting her oncologists at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (Comprehensive), a day she describes as one of the best of her life.
Oncologists are not just experts in medicine. They are guides through some of the most difficult chapters people will ever face. Lobular breast cancer accounts for 10 to 15 percent of all invasive breast cancers, making it the second most common type after invasive ductal carcinoma. In the U.S., an estimated 43,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and rates have been rising over the past two decades, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. When a case is considered invasive, it means the cancer has spread beyond its original site into surrounding breast tissue.
Some of the most common early symptoms of invasive lobular carcinoma we see here at Comprehensive include hardened areas in the breast or underarm, dimpling of the skin, changes in breast size or shape or swelling. Once diagnosed, treatment usually involves a multidisciplinary plan that can include surgery, radiation and systemic therapies.
Brandi’s cancer story began years before her official diagnosis. In 2016, after a breast reduction and lift, her surgeon sent tissue for pathology that revealed lobular cancer cells. She underwent genetic testing at Comprehensive which came back negative, but she continued with screenings. In March of 2020, she discovered a lump and a biopsy in May confirmed invasive lobular carcinoma.
Brandi underwent a double mastectomy, followed by breast reconstruction. She began chemotherapy shortly after and went on to receive radiation treatment in the fall. This November marks five years since that last treatment with Comprehensive, a milestone Brandi celebrates with gratitude.
As if her journey through diagnosis, a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation was not challenging enough, Brandi’s journey was especially unique as it unfolded during COVID, a time of profound isolation. She had to face crucial tests, consultations and treatments alone but with Comprehensive’s guidance. But through it all, she leaned on her family and doctors as her cheerleaders.
Even in the darkest moments, Brandi’s determination never wavered. “Yes, it’s going to be scary, but at the same time I’m strong, and we’re a strong family, and we’re going to get through it together,” she recalls. From the moment of her diagnosis, she tackled her battle head-on, asking, “What do I need to do?” and doing it. Her children saw her strength firsthand, witnessing how she confronted a global crisis alongside a deeply personal one.
Brandi found ways to thrive during her treatment with Comprehensive, making it a priority to remain active. Her daily four-mile walk became a lifeline, a time where she could reflect and heal. She also credits early detection, being proactive with screenings and trusting her team of Comprehensive doctors as key to her recovery.
Now, Brandi shares her strength with others. She has reached out to patients during their own cancer journeys and she strives to be a relatable source of encouragement, offering a glimmer of hope to those newly diagnosed or still in treatment.
Looking back, Brandi says there has not been a single day since her diagnosis that she has not thought about cancer. Her advice to others is simple but powerful: give yourself grace. Her story is a reminder that while cancer changes lives, it cannot diminish resilience, faith or the power of connection.