In a deeply moving account, Kristie Yatsko reflects on her battle with breast cancer, a journey that began in January 2025 when she discovered a lump in her breast while breastfeeding her daughter. Initially believing it to be a clogged milk duct, Kristie delayed seeking medical attention, despite the concerns voiced by her mother, Dawn Yatsko, a breast cancer survivor.
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As months passed, Kristie, a 31-year-old complaints manager from Seville, Ohio, noticed that the lump was growing larger. With a family trip to Disney planned for September, she decided to postpone a medical examination until after the holiday. However, upon returning home, the lump escalated in size rapidly within just three weeks.
Worried about the significant change, Kristie visited her obstetrician-gynaecologist, who deemed the lump as “probably nothing” but suggested an ultrasound for further clarification. Following an ultrasound, Kristie underwent a biopsy, and just before Thanksgiving 2025, she received the devastating diagnosis of stage 2, grade 3 triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma.
Kristie’s reaction to the news was profound, particularly since her mother had faced a similar ordeal just seven years earlier. Having always shared a close bond, working from home at the same bank and living just two minutes apart, Kristie immediately reached out to Dawn after receiving her results. The two shared an emotional moment filled with tears, before focusing on the treatment path ahead.
Dawn quickly took charge of the situation by arranging an appointment with Dr. Stephanie Valente, the same breast surgical oncologist who had treated her. The physician recalls the moment she met Kristie, saying, “I brought you my daughter,” which highlighted the bond and shared experience between mother and daughter.
While both Kristie and Dawn faced breast cancer, their individual diagnoses were markedly different. Kristie’s cancer was hormone-driven and did not present a genetic link or family history.
Beginning her treatment on December 18, 2025, Kristie faced 14 rounds of chemotherapy combined with another three rounds of immunotherapy. Throughout this challenging period, her fiancé, Ken Pohorence, provided robust support as Kristie endured debilitating side effects, often feeling bedridden post-treatment. “I could barely get out of bed most days,” she recalls, outlining the cycle of treatment recovery she faced.
Throughout her journey, Dawn has been a steadfast presence, accompanying Kristie to every chemotherapy session and surgery. “She has been my lifeline,” Kristie expressed, emphasising her mother’s invaluable support and guidance in making crucial medical decisions. Dawn, now 53, admitted it was a tough experience to witness her child’s battle with such a harsh illness.
Understanding the mistakes she made during her own treatment, Dawn was keen to ensure Kristie avoided the same pitfalls. Her initial choice to undergo a lumpectomy resulted in further surgeries and complications, eventually leading to a double mastectomy. Drawing from her experience, she encouraged Kristie to bypass the initial lumpectomy and to opt straight for a bilateral mastectomy, which Kristie underwent on July 14, 2026.
The surgery paid off; Kristie was informed that no cancer was detected following the procedure, leading to her current status of being cancer-free. After taking nine months off work to undergo treatment, Kristie has returned to her full-time job, although she still has to contend with additional reconstruction surgeries in the future.
Determined to raise awareness, both Kristie and Dawn are advocating for women everywhere to pay attention to their breast health and to heed any warnings or changes. Kristie has taken her recovery as an opportunity to promote the importance of self-examination and timely medical consultation, imploring women not to dismiss any abnormalities, even when told they are ‘too young’ for breast cancer.
To celebrate her survival, Kristie recently got a tattoo that reads “I won,” accompanied by a flower symbolising her resilience. The tattoo signifies her journey and growth following breast cancer. In solidarity, Dawn plans to get a matching tattoo.
This October, the duo is united in their message to encourage vigilance regarding breast health amidst their ongoing healing. Through their shared experience and passion for educating others, they hope to inspire women to prioritise their wellbeing, thereby potentially saving lives through early detection and treatment.