Nashville mom diagnosed with breast cancer at 33

At 33 years old, Macy Page was living a full, healthy, and busy life in Nashville, Tennessee. Between raising her 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter as a stay-at-home mom and staying active in her neighborhood, cancer was the absolute furthest thing from her mind. With no known family history of breast cancer—her mother was adopted, and her father’s side had no reported cases—she had no reason to believe she was at risk.

Macy happened to see a post from an influencer advocating for breast self-exams. Inspired to do a quick check while in the shower, Macy felt a small, distinct lump in her right breast. Because she was breastfeeding, Macy initially wondered whether the lump was related to a common nursing-related breast change. Still, her intuition told her not to ignore a new, distinct lump.

"I’m not one to wait around," Macy said. "If anything comes up, I’d rather be safe than sorry."

She immediately reached out to her OB-GYN, Dr. Amanda Barrett, and her nurse, Katy. Within days, Macy was in for a mammogram and an ultrasound.

The initial scans showed a smooth, round mass. Radiologists reassured Macy that it did not appear cancerous and was likely related to breastfeeding. They offered her a choice: wait six months for a follow-up or move forward with a biopsy.

Trusting her gut, Macy opted for the biopsy. When she returned for the procedure in early January, the ultrasound revealed the lump had grown noticeably larger in just four weeks. Two days later, on January 14, Dr. Barrett called with unexpected news: the mass was malignant.

"We were all shocked—I couldn’t believe it at 33," Macy said. "Dr. Barrett told me, 'You are strong. You’re going to get through this. It might feel like the wheels are turning slowly, but I promise things are happening behind the scenes.' But I didn't feel like they turned slowly at all. Her team went after every referral so fast."

Genetic testing soon revealed Macy carried the BRCA1 gene mutation—an inherited genetic change that significantly increases the lifetime risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. This mutation explained her diagnosis and identified her tumor as triple-negative breast cancer. 

Further imaging showed the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, resulting in a Stage 3 diagnosis.

"The fact that they all worked so quickly to get me in... I truly believe it saved me from progressing to Stage 4."

Macy was quickly paired with Dr. Jessica Limberg, a breast surgeon at Ascension Saint Thomas, and her multidisciplinary team. From the beginning, the atmosphere at Saint Thomas gave Macy the strength she needed to face a daunting treatment schedule.

"I met with Dr. Limberg and immediately loved her,” said Macy. “I never once felt like I was just another patient. It felt personal. They felt like family and made me feel like I mattered because they actually cared."

Because of the tumor's size and aggressive nature, her care team recommended a bold, proactive plan. Starting in February, Macy began a six-month regimen that combined traditional cancer-killing chemotherapy with immunotherapy—a treatment that trains her own immune system to fight the disease.

Despite facing unexpected side effects like temporary vision loss from uveitis (an inflammation inside the eye) and complete hair loss, Macy met every challenge with optimism—and a collection of fun hats.

Balancing chemotherapy with two toddlers required a village. Fortunately, Macy’s strong support system—including her parents, who live just a street away in Nashville, her sister, and close friends—stepped in so her husband could continue working. 

"I think I’ve had the best experience in the world because I had such an incredible support system,” said Macy. “My mom has been the biggest help, and our friends would drop everything to step in."

On August 3—just under four weeks after completing her final chemo infusion—Macy underwent a successful double mastectomy with direct-to-implant reconstruction, meaning surgeons were able to place permanent breast implants during the same operation, avoiding the need for temporary tissue expanders or a second major reconstructive surgery. Shortly after, she received the best news possible: a pathological complete response. The chemotherapy had eradicated every trace of cancer cells in her body.

To lower any risk of recurrence, Macy is continuing her care plan with proton therapy and targeted immunotherapy under the guidance of her medical oncologist, Dr. Rachel Mitchell.

Reflecting on her journey, Macy credits her faith, her family, and her medical team at Saint Thomas for giving her unwavering peace throughout the process.

"The biggest takeaway from this that I want everyone to know is that God is good," Macy said. "Every single thing that has happened to me, I wouldn't change a single second because it has completely changed me as a person in the best way. The reason I've gone through this is to help other women and share hope."

If you are facing a diagnosis, seeking a second opinion, or looking to schedule a screening, the care teams at Ascension Saint Thomas are here for you. Explore our Women's Comprehensive Cancer Care at Ascension Saint Thomas.