Lyndsey's Diagnosis
- Comedian Lyndsey Frank is fighting cancer after a stage 2 triple-positive breast cancer diagnosis.
- There are currently more than 3.1 million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S.
- Stage two breast cancers are either larger than stage one tumors, or have moved to a few nearby lymph nodes. Treatment will likely be some combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
- Lyndsey’s diagnosis came a month after finding a lump, reiterating how important it is for women at risk to get checked if they’re suspicious of something.
- The comic’s positive attitude exemplifies what doctors recommend upon a diagnosis: optimism.
Lindsey’s friends and fellow members of the comedy community have been rallying around her, and have established a GoFundMe campaign to help support her care.
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Part of the caption reads: “I'm also still so terrified. And that's fine. I love you all so much. I'm going to beat this. I'm just going to be crying and anxious as I do it. But that's how I do most things. The crying is new actually.”
Her vulnerability in sharing the news online is backed by friends lifting her up via social media, moving traffic toward her donation page.
my friend @lyndseyisfrank was recently diagnosed with cancer and she needs help paying for it in this very normal country of ours!! She rocks, she's the best, tbh even if she sucked I'd still ask you to help out, it's just a bonus that she's also wonderful https://t.co/wkXFqmShgT
caitie delaney (@caitiedelaney) June 25, 2022
Lyndsey’s retweet of a July stand-up show promo, with her name in it, indicates that she plans to continue making people laugh through it all.
Improv at the Stand Up returns with @jackiekashian@ayobrobro @oldmanweldon @k3wlazn420 and more! Ticket link in bio! 🔥
Improv at the Stand Up is the show that has improvisers giving a performance based solely off the wet wild n' crazy stand up sets before them. pic.twitter.com/s2rsbRUVzTThe Comedy Co-op (@thecomedycoopla) June 21, 2022
Breast Cancer In Young Women
Stage two breast cancers are either larger than stage one tumors, or have moved to a few nearby lymph nodes. Treatment will likely be some combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
If chemotherapy is also needed after surgery, the radiation is delayed until the chemo is done. The same approach is taken to hormone receptor and HER2 positive as stage one.
Lyndsey is receiving an MRI before treatment to determine what steps need to be taken toward future treatment. Her process will begin with targeted chemotherapy; after six rounds of chemo – a round every three weeks for approximately five months – the state of her disease will be closely monitored.
During all of this, Lyndsey is taking a drug called NEULASTA to support the immune system as it’s weakened from treatment.
Resilience After A Cancer Diagnosis
"A positive attitude is really important," says Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Lyndsey’s attitude shines through her Instagram post – her words set a great example for the sort of thoughts doctors want their patients to express when undergoing treatment.
‘Stay Positive, It Matters,’ Says Leading Cancer Surgeon
If you have just been diagnosed with cancer, negative feelings are normal. Totally normal. Men and women react differently. Anger, shame, fear, anxiety. It's to be expected. Experienced doctors will tell you that people who find a way to work through the emotions and stay positive end up doing better.
Dr. Murrell also recommends acting as your own advocate. Lyndsey’s ability to promote her disease will help call in the support she needs through this process.
When it comes to your health, be a little pushy. You know your body better than anyone else. From a doctor's perspective, every problem should have a diagnosis, a treatment, a plan for follow-up, and a plan for what happens next if the treatment doesn't work.
Learn more about SurvivorNet’s rigorous medical review process.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.