Celebrity Stylist Katrina Cruz, 41, Thought She Was ‘Too Young & Healthy’ To Be Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

Celebrity stylist and fashionista Katrina Cruz, 41, is turning to social media to urge her followers to take a moment from their busy lives and give themselves a “self-check.” The word of wisdom comes on the heels of her own breast cancer diagnosis despite living a “healthy lifestyle.” SurvivorNet has plenty of resources to help you know what to look for and help you remain watchful for any signs of breast cancer. As Cruz says, “Early detection is key.”

 

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“I felt invincible, keeping up with healthy habits – eating clean, working out, and prioritizing sleep. Besides I thought I was too young for this,” Cruz wrote in an emotionally candid Instagram post.

Cruz has been a major player in the fashion industry for more than two decades. This past Spring, she was named the senior fashion director of MEGA, a fashion and entertainment brand. Among the celebrities she’s worked with include “Alone Together” actresses Liza Soberano, 25, and Heart Evangelista, 38. However, now she’s using her platform to raise added awareness about breast cancer.

 

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“At 41, I’m facing a diagnosis of triple-positive breast cancer, and here I stand on the first day of chemo and targeted therapy,” she said.

Triple-positive breast cancer means the tumor cells have estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). This type of cancer is typically treated with hormone therapy and drugs that target HER2. When faced with a breast cancer diagnosis, it’s important to know if you have any one of these receptors because it can alter your specific course of treatment.

 

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“These receptors, I like to imagine them like little hands on the outside of the cell, they can grab hold of what we call ligands, and these ligands are essentially the hormones that may be circulating in the bloodstream that can then be pulled into this cancer cell and used as a fertilizer, as growth support for the cells,” Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, explains to SurvivorNet.

WATCH: The features of your breast cancer help determine treatment.

“I had a family history, but like many, I kept pushing off check-ups due to a busy life,” Cruz said.

Family history can play a major role in your overall cancer risk.

“Some people think that breast cancer is only inherited through genes on the mom’s side but it can also be related to a genetic mutation that can be found on the father’s side,” SurvivorNet medical advisor and breast oncologist Dr. Elizabeth Comen explained.

WATCH: The factors that may increase your cancer risk.

“I’m not naïve about the rough road ahead – the treatments, the side effects, and the possibility of a major surgery. But through all this, one thing has hit home hard: cancer doesn’t give a damn about who you are, how old you are, or how healthy your lifestyle is. The key? Early detection is the true game-changer,” Cruz said.

Many Instagram users wished her well and sent many prayers her way including Instagram user Mitch Castle who said, “I agree with early detection. I also got breast cancer gene screening this year.”

As Cruz begins her breast cancer journey, she hopes by sharing her story, others will be more motivated to stay current on breast cancer screenings through mammograms and performing regular self-exams on their breasts for anything unusual.

‘Take a Minute to Check Yourself’

Cruz’s breast cancer journey includes the cautionary message of being on the lookout for anything unusual with your health. When it comes to breast cancer, the symptoms can present in a few different ways. New lumps in the breast or underarm are common symptoms of breast cancer. Swelling, skin dimpling or peeling of the breasts are other visual cues women should be looking out for when checking for signs of breast cancer.

WATCH: The value of regular screenings.

A mammogram is the primary test doctors use to screen for breast cancer. It works by examining tissue for anything unusual. Sometimes, an ultrasound is also combined with a standard mammogram to screen for breast cancer. This approach is more useful for women with dense breasts where a standard mammogram may not be able to see through the dense breast tissue.

When to Get a Mammogram

There is a wide consensus that women should have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54.

Leading organizations like the American Cancer Society say women should have the option to begin annual screenings between 40 and 45, but there is some disagreement among doctors as to whether this is beneficial. For example, after saying for years that women shouldn’t begin mammograms until 50, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently changed their guidelines to say that women of average risk should begin at 40.

Dr. Connie Lehman, a diagnostic radiologist, says when you begin mammograms is a decision you should discuss with your doctor, as they can help you understand your specific circumstances and weigh the benefits and potential risks of earlier screening.

On the other hand, Dr. Lehman says, you should start yearly mammogram screening as early as age 30 if you fit into the high-risk category, meaning you have a first-degree relative who has had breast cancer, have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, or had radiation to the chest area when you were young. All of these risk factors increase your risk of getting breast cancer.

How to Perform a Self-Breast Exam

If you notice any changes in your breasts, such as new lumps or nipple changes, ask your doctor about getting a mammogram or other screening tests. Remember that you’re the best expert on your own health and what’s normal, or not, for your body. In between regular mammogram screenings, SurvivorNet’s experts also recommend that you do regular breast self-exams.

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror.
Stand with shoulders straight and arms on hips, and look for the following:

• Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color
• Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling.
• If you notice dimpling, puckering, or bulging, bring this to your doctor’s attention.
• Also, check with your doctor if a nipple has inverted or changed position; or if you see redness, soreness, a rash, or swelling.

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.
While you’re facing the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid– or blood).

Step 3: Next, feel your breasts while lying down:
Use your right hand to feel your left breast; your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women.

Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you’ve reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage.

Step 4: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting.
Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 3.

What To Ask Your Doctor

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about how to keep your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation with your doctor:

• What treatment will I be receiving?
• What side effects are associated with this treatment?
• Are there steps I can take in my daily life to help minimize these side effects?
• What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
• Do you have recommendations for someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy exercise?
• Can you recommend a dietician who can help me with healthy eating tips and maintaining a healthy weight?
• I’ve been having trouble sleeping, do you have any treatment recommendations?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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