Annual Mammograms Matter: Ingrid's Story of Early Detection and Survival
August 22, 2025
By: Alyssa Plotts
Categories: Women's Health, Cancer
Ingrid Seruga, a 49-year-old mom of two, was at her annual doctor’s visit when her nurse practitioner discovered a lump on her left breast.
“She says, ‘Do you know you have a lump?’ And I'm like, ‘No, I didn’t know that,’” Ingrid recalled. Ingrid had a mammogram already scheduled, conveniently for that same week. She mentioned the lump to the technician at the start of her appointment.
While the mammogram didn’t detect the lump, because Ingrid spoke up, her care team followed up with an MRI. That’s when they found it. The doctor quickly scheduled a biopsy for early the next week. Just a few days later, while sitting with her husband, Ingrid got the call.
“It was the nurse saying it’s cancer. That was very shocking. I was not expecting that at all,” Ingrid said. No one in Ingrid’s family had ever received an irregular mammogram or a diagnosis.
Ingrid had been doing everything right – she made time for her annual wellness visits, including mammograms, despite working full time and raising two children. But now, Ingrid, was facing a cancer diagnosis with a daughter who was 16 and her son just 12.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The team at Trinity Health quickly got Ingrid on her path to treatment. A nurse navigator connected with her to set up her appointments.
She was referred to a team of experts at the Trinity Health Cancer Center - Brighton. Doctors diagnosed Ingrid with Stage 2 cancer in her left breast. Stage 2 means the cancer was larger than two centimeters and had spread to nearby lymph nodes, but not beyond.
Her treatment started with a lumpectomy on March 23, 2021. Ingrid said she felt fine after the lumpectomy, an outpatient procedure. She returned home with her husband the same day, with some slight pain.
"We planned to go away for spring break… Two days later, my kids and I jumped in the car and drove to Florida to see my mom. As they say, come hell or high water, I was taking my kids on vacation.”
During the lumpectomy, the surgeon removed and tested two lymph nodes. One lymph node showed signs of cancer, meaning Ingrid would need chemotherapy and radiation.
Starting Chemotherapy & Radiation
In May of 2021, Ingrid began four rounds of chemotherapy every three weeks. She lost all her hair exactly one week after her first infusion. “I put my hand through my hair in the shower and had clumps in my hand. I called my cousin that night and shaved my head. I had a good cry and said, ‘This is it.”
“I had a nice-shaped head, so I was a good bald candidate,” Ingrid joked. Fortunately, Ingrid never got physically sick from chemotherapy but did have body aches and pain.
After a month-long break after chemotherapy, Ingrid began six weeks of daily radiation. “Radiation was exhausting. I went every day, Monday through Friday at 10:30 AM.” Doctors recommend both radiation and chemotherapy after the removal of a lump to ensure no cancer cells return.
Support from the Care Team
Throughout her journey, Ingrid never felt alone. Even when COVID-19 protocols meant going to appointments solo.
“I cannot say enough about the nurses at the Brighton Cancer Center. They are fabulous women. I always say there is a special place in heaven for these women. You have to be a special nurse to work with cancer patients every day. What they go through for us, they are amazing.”
Even four years later, Ingrid returns monthly and receives a warm greeting like family. “They remember you and they know what you went through. They're concerned about you as a person, not just as a number or another patient. I actually look forward to going there and seeing them because of what they did for me.”
Ingrid is Now NED
Today, Ingrid is considered No Evidence of Disease or NED, for cancer. She still gets screenings every six months, alternating mammograms and MRIs since a traditional mammogram did not find her lump initially.
Ingrid shared that she still felt tired for two years after completing treatment. She continues to manage ongoing side effects, like joint pain and neuropathy, with regular massage therapy and chiropractic care. She continues to balance her full-time career with spending cherished time with her family. Since her breast cancer diagnosis, her perspective on life has shifted. Ingrid now focuses on living in the moment and embracing each day fully.
In 2024, Ingrid took on a powerful challenge: her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk in Denver, Colorado. This inspiring event covers 60 miles over three days, with all proceeds going toward breast cancer research.
This year, Ingrid is lacing up her walking shoes again for the San Diego 3-Day Walk. She hopes to continue participating in these events for as long as she’s able, raising both funds and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Through it all, Ingrid remains practical, optimistic and strong. She’s passionate about sharing her journey with other women, reminding them of the importance of prioritizing their health.
