Tammy McDevitt’s breast cancer diagnosis arrived as a shock, despite years of normal mammograms. In September 2024, her routine screening at Cleveland Clinic revealed a subtle anomaly identified by an “eagle-eyed radiologist.” This finding prompted two follow-up procedures: a diagnostic mammogram and a mammography-guided fine-needle aspiration to obtain tissue for analysis.
The tests confirmed invasive lobular breast cancer, a form that often evades detection because it grows in strands within breast tissue rather than forming distinct lumps. Lobular cancer accounts for up to 15% of invasive breast cancers and is frequently described as “the sneaky breast cancer” due to its tendency to remain hidden.
Tammy, a 64-year-old Mantua, Ohio resident and grandmother of three, had never missed a yearly mammogram. After each screening, she received a letter noting that dense breast tissue could hinder cancer detection on a standard mammogram and suggesting consideration of additional screening options.
“With dense breast tissue, I wondered if I could have cancer and not be able to detect it,” Tammy recalls. She considered stopping screening, a thought that was interrupted by a decisive conversation with a colleague who works as a mammogram technician. The technician looked her in the eye and said, “Mammograms save lives. I see it every day. You need to keep going.”
That moment reinforced Tammy’s commitment to annual screening, which, along with the follow-up letters, ultimately led to early diagnosis. Her Cleveland Clinic care team moved quickly to plan imaging, tests, and oncology consultations, culminating in surgery to remove the tumor.
Tammy’s care coordinator was clear about priorities: “Right now, this is the most important thing in your life. You need to make it your priority.”
Dr. Shimoli Barot, a breast medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic, notes that Tammy’s cancer was detected at Stage 1, enabling prompt treatment planning. “When we can treat it earlier, outcomes are often favorable,” she says. While the majority of lobular cancers are detected through conventional screening, Dr. Barot emphasizes discussing supplemental imaging—such as MRI—when dense breast tissue, a strong family history, or a relative with early-onset breast cancer is present.
Tammy initially noticed no lump but did observe a subtle change in the shape of the affected breast. “People are often told to look for lumps, but that’s not the only sign,” she says. “Any change matters. Pay attention, even if it seems small.”
About a month after diagnosis, Tammy underwent a partial mastectomy. Pathology revealed the tumor was slightly larger than imaging had suggested. She then received a targeted, one-week course of radiation therapy. In the year since treatment, she has continued regular follow-up with Dr. Barot every three to six months, with plans to adjust the frequency over time.
Because lobular breast cancer can recur years later and sometimes in distant sites, ongoing monitoring remains a cornerstone of long-term care. In October 2025, Cleveland Clinic launched a Comprehensive Lobular Breast Cancer Program to improve early detection, standardize care, and advance research in this understudied disease.
Program director Dr. Megan Kruse emphasizes that the initiative aims to enhance patient care, raise awareness, and accelerate research. “The response from patients and the medical community has been encouraging, helping us reach those who need specialized care,” she says.
Tammy, now fully recovered, embraces a “new normal” focused on health and wellness. With a daughter and three granddaughters, she hopes ongoing research and awareness will save more lives. “Get your mammogram every year,” she urges. “Make it part of your routine. Even if something is found, it’s better to know and take action—because treatment has come a long way. When it comes to mammograms, ignorance isn’t bliss. It’s a risk you don’t want to take.”
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