@thekingronda: Andrea de Armas received a breast cancer diagnosis just one day before she was supposed to begin graduate school. But even as she faced treatment, she was determined to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a physician assistant. At 26, de Armas discovered a lump in her breast. With no known family history of the disease, she decided to get it checked before starting her demanding medical program. But during her ultrasound appointment, she said the technician’s response left her feeling dismissed and uncomfortable. “The tech had ‘Why are you here?’ vibes,” de Armas told CBS News. “I felt belittled and just weird.” The situation changed when a radiologist reviewed her ultrasound and recommended an urgent biopsy. Four days later, de Armas learned that the lump was cancerous. The diagnosis came just one day before her classes were due to begin. Rather than abandon her education, she worked with doctors at Baptist Health in Miami to plan her treatment around her studies. She underwent a lumpectomy during a break from classes, then scheduled a mastectomy and reconstruction around her winter break. When chemotherapy began, she booked appointments as early as 6:50 a.m. so she could attend classes later that day. In 2025, de Armas graduated and began working as a physician assistant the following month. Now 30, she says she is cancer-free, although she continues to receive regular oncology care and hormone therapy. Her doctor praised her determination, saying de Armas knew what she wanted and refused to let breast cancer stand in her way. Have you ever faced a major challenge while working toward a dream? \#BreastCancerAwareness #CancerSurvivor #InspirationalStory #Healthcare #humaninterest

Deanna Thomas ✔

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Sunday 25 October 2026 21:20:00 GMT