A Florida healthcare professional and breast cancer survivor, Andrea de Armas, is sharing her story to encourage young women to take charge of their health. Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 26, she has overcome significant challenges while pursuing her career as a physician assistant—a journey that began with discomfort and dismissal at a medical facility when she first sought help.
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De Armas discovered a lump in her breast just one day before she was set to commence her demanding graduate programme in physician assistant studies. Despite having no familial predisposition to breast cancer, she made the wise decision to have the lump examined prior to starting her courses. However, her initial experience at the ultrasound appointment left her feeling undervalued and ignored.
Reflecting on her ultrasound visit, de Armas described feeling the technician’s scepticism, saying, “The tech had ‘Why are you here?’ vibes. Without her explicitly saying that, that’s exactly what she told me. I felt belittled and just weird.” This discomfort escalated until a radiologist reviewed her ultrasound and suggested a biopsy, which ultimately confirmed the worst fear—her lump was cancerous.
This devastating revelation came just as she was preparing to begin her look toward a future in medicine. “Words can’t describe it,” de Armas remembered of the moment. Despite her shock, she quickly shifted her focus toward her next steps, motivated to continue her education throughout her treatment.
Working closely with her healthcare team at Baptist Health, de Armas orchestrated a treatment plan that would allow her to balance her education and medical care. In early June, roughly a month after her diagnosis, she underwent a lumpectomy during a class break. Additionally, she scheduled a bilateral mastectomy and breast reconstruction for her winter break to ensure her studies were not disrupted.
When chemotherapy became necessary, de Armas cleverly arranged her appointments for early mornings so she could attend classes later in the day. Dr Cristina Lopez-Penalver, a surgical oncologist at the Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute, noted how the medical team aligned their efforts to fit de Armas’ educational goals. “We worked together as a team,” she said, applauding de Armas’ determination.
In 2025, de Armas completed her physician assistant programme and embarked on her medical career just a month later. By September 2026, she proudly celebrated her first anniversary in the job. Now at the age of 30, she is cancer-free, although she continues to attend regular oncology appointments and undergo hormone therapy as part of her ongoing health management.
De Armas has had to confront challenging issues surrounding fertility at an earlier stage than many of her peers. Nevertheless, she remains positive and feels fortunate to have such support throughout her treatment. “I’m really lucky,” she expressed, attributing her success to her dedicated medical team.
Dr Lopez-Penalver commended de Armas, stating, “Andrea is amazing. She knew what she wanted. She wanted to become a PA and she didn’t let breast cancer stand in her way.” Her journey illustrates a critical message for young women about the importance of self-monitoring and advocacy in healthcare, especially since routine mammograms are typically not recommended until the age of 40.
Healthcare advocates urge women to be proactive regarding their breast health, emphasising the importance of knowing one’s family history, leading an active lifestyle, avoiding smoking, and performing monthly self-examinations. Any noticeable changes—such as lumps, skin alterations, or nipple discharge—should be addressed promptly with a healthcare professional.
Through sharing her experiences, Andrea de Armas hopes to inspire other young women to take control of their health and remain vigilant about any changes in their bodies. Her story stands as a powerful reminder that in the face of adversity, dedication to one’s goals can lead to remarkable achievements.