{"id":16209,"date":"2018-06-01T10:41:36","date_gmt":"2018-06-01T16:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=16209"},"modified":"2026-04-02T15:15:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:15:09","slug":"cancer-victory-thanks-to-young-womens-breast-cancer-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/cancer-victory-thanks-to-young-womens-breast-cancer-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Cancer victory thanks to Young Women\u2019s Breast Cancer Center"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

Travel and yoga feed Louisa Drouet\u2019s soul.<\/p>\n

So, after finishing treatment for breast cancer next month, she plans to embark on what she\u2019s jokingly calling her \u201cWorld Victory Tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starting in September, she hopes to visit friends, celebrate life and do yoga in far-flung places from Shanghai to Sydney, Mumbai, Paris, London and Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

\"Louisa
Louisa Drouet practices a yoga pose on a beach in Mexico. Photo courtesy of Louisa Drouet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After the trip, the former broadcast journalist and now marketing business owner from Durango is considering starting a motivational clothing brand and speaking business.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to be able to give back and help as many women as I can. Every single breast cancer story has its own dynamics. We\u2019re all terrified and think, \u2018what the heck has happened?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Celebrating her dad at a Rockies game<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Drouet has been through some major challenges in her life, including abuse that she speaks about publicly to support other survivors. Drouet also had to deal recently with the sudden death of her father, with whom she had a wonderful relationship. Though never formally diagnosed, Drouet’s father lived with Asperger Syndrome. He was a baseball fan, music lover and math professor, who died unexpectedly just over a year ago. Then\u00a0Drouet learned she had cancer. She found the golf-ball sized tumor in her left breast last November and got surgery quickly. Then Drouet had to face chemotherapy treatment that she dreaded even though she knew it was essential.<\/p>\n

\"Louisa
Louisa Drouet loved to go to baseball games with her dad. He died suddenly a year ago. Since then, Drouet has battled breast cancer. She will celebrate finishing her treatments with a day of watching baseball and thinking of her dad. Photo courtesy of Louisa Drouet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the hardest thing I\u2019ve ever done in my life,\u201d said Drouet, who has run marathons and endured months of rehab after blowing out her ACL on the ski slopes.<\/p>\n

In spite of the physical and mental challenges of chemotherapy and wearing icy caps \u2013 cooled to 36 degrees below zero to preserve her hair \u2013 Drouet adores her team at the UCHealth Diane O\u2019Connor Thompson Breast Center at the Anschutz Medical Campus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Drouet will complete her radiation treatments in the coming weeks and gets to celebrate by attending the Cancer Awareness Game as the Colorado Rockies take on the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 3. The game will have even greater meaning because Drouet is from Los Angeles and used to love going to baseball games there with her dad.<\/p>\n

\u201cI adored my father very much and really miss watching sports with him,\u201d Drouet said. \u201cHe loved teaching. He loved math. He was a giver and he loved sports to no end. I will feel like my father is with me on June 3.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finding a dedicated young women\u2019s breast cancer center<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Drouet found the lump in her breast back on Nov. 30 when she was 46. She was going to sleep when her hand brushed across her left breast and she felt what she instantly knew was a tumor.<\/p>\n

\"Louisa
Louisa Drouet was shocked when she found a lump in her breast. Most women with breast cancer are older Drouet found care dedicated to younger women at the UCHealth Young Women’s Cancer Center. Photo courtesy of Louisa Drouet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI sat up and the room spun and then came to a hard stop,\u201d she said. \u201cI immediately knew what it was, but you\u2019re in a state of shock and denial.\u201d<\/p>\n

She received instant support that night from her partner, Jake, and a friend whom she texted. The next day, Drouet sought help from her primary care doctor and a breast center at the hospital in Durango. She consulted with a general surgeon there, but was concerned when she learned that he only does about a dozen breast cancer surgeries a year.<\/p>\n

He also suggested that she should get a double mastectomy, which led her to consider getting treatment elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Drouet\u2019s sister helped her find a team of pros at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital<\/a>: Dr. Elena Shagisultanova<\/a>, Dr. Nicole Kounalakis and Dr. Rachel Rabinovitch<\/a>. These doctors are part of the hospital\u2019s dedicated Young Women\u2019s Breast Cancer Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s rare for cancer centers to have special programs for women coping with breast cancer when they\u2019re in their 40s or younger. Young women comprise only about 11 percent of new cancer diagnoses each year<\/a>, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Because most women with breast cancer are in their 60s or 70s, young women can feel isolated and even more frightened when they receive a breast cancer diagnosis. Only a handful of academic medical centers around the country have a dedicated young women\u2019s breast cancer center like the one at UCHealth.<\/p>\n

When Drouet met with her team, she immediately found sensitive, compassionate doctors and caregivers who acted fast to provide treatment tailored to Drouet\u2019s unique situation.<\/p>\n

\u2018Am I going to die?\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Back in Durango, Drouet remembers shaking as ultrasounds confirmed that the suspicious lump in her breast was probably cancerous.<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I going to die?\u201d she asked her technician.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re not,\u201d the woman told her.<\/p>\n

\"An
Drouet wears bracelets with positive messages like “be brave.” Photo courtesy of Louisa Drouet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Drouet now knows that it\u2019s typical for women \u2014 especially young women \u00ad\u00ad\u2014 to be terrified when they first get a cancer diagnosis. Then some go into shock and feel completely lost with no idea of what to do next.<\/p>\n

Drouet felt that way at first. That\u2019s when her sister jumped into action, began researching online and found the Diane O\u2019Connor Thompson Center.<\/p>\n

From Drouet\u2019s first phone call with nurse navigator Brandi Welker at the center, she knew she had found the right team. The nurse was knowledgeable and caring and arranged for her to come in for her first appointment within days.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started crying. I thought, \u2018I\u2019m finally talking to people who know what they\u2019re doing,\u2019\u201d Drouet said. \u201cThey were going to take care of me and be kind to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Breast cancer more aggressive in young women<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Breast cancer in young women typically is more aggressive and thus more dangerous than cancer in older women.<\/p>\n

In Drouet\u2019s case, her tumor showed signs that it was growing fast and beginning to spread.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had an over-achieving tumor,\u201d Drouet said, illustrating her wry sense of humor.<\/p>\n

\"Louisa
Louisa Drouet worked in broadcasting for many years and now runs a marketing company. When she learned she had cancer, she looked for treatments tailored to younger women and used icy caps so she could keep her hair. Photo courtesy of Louisa Drouet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Doctors also found evidence that her cancer had begun spreading to her lymph nodes, which meant she would need chemotherapy.<\/p>\n

While surgery didn\u2019t scare Drouet, the thought of losing her hair and feeling terrible during chemotherapy caused her significant angst. So she opted to go through surgery first. Back in Durango, the general surgeon had recommended removing both of Drouet\u2019s breasts. But, her UCHealth surgeon, Kounalakis, opted for a more conservative treatment that she felt would provide just as much protection against a recurrence: a lumpectomy on the affected breast only. By doing the lumpectomy, Kounalakis was able to save Drouet\u2019s entire right breast and part of her left breast, including her nipple.<\/p>\n

Drouet decided to enjoy the holidays, then scheduled her surgery following New Year\u2019s.<\/p>\n

The surgery went well. Drouet described it as \u201ca cakewalk,\u201d easier than an earlier knee surgery. Unfortunately, pathologists did confirm that the cancer had spread to Drouet\u2019s lymph nodes, which meant she definitely had to have chemotherapy to increase her chances for cure. Fortunately, Drouet had found her cancer relatively early, and it did not spread any further. The goal of chemotherapy in her case was to prevent cancer from coming back and to kill isolated cancer cells that could have been hiding in the lymphatic vessels or possibly elsewhere in the body.<\/p>\n

The next challenge began when Drouet faced her biggest fear.<\/p>\n

The toughest part: chemotherapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cI know it should not be my first concern, but I simply did not want to lose my hair,\u201d Drouet said.<\/p>\n

\"Louisa
Louisa Drouet celebrated herfinal chemotherapy treatment with supporters and a sign. She used an icy cold cap during cheotherapy to try to keep as much of her hair as possible. Photo courtesy of Louisa Drouet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She had spent years as a television anchor and reporter. (Click here<\/a> to see some of Drouet\u2019s news clips.) She loved her hair. And she\u2019s a runner and yoga buff, who loves feeling and looking healthy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to lose my hair, eyelashes and eyebrows. I didn\u2019t want to shave my head. I didn\u2019t want people to think I was sick, but I wanted to live,\u201d Drouet said.<\/p>\n

Her hematology and oncology specialist in Aurora, Shagisultanova, understood and honored Drouet\u2019s desire to keep looking and feeling like herself as much as possible during the chemotherapy.<\/p>\n

\"Head
Dr. Elena Shagisultanova.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cFor many women, it\u2019s devastating to look different. Hair loss provides such a negative impact on self-confidence and overall sense of well-being. We think keeping your hair significantly improves the experience of chemotherapy,\u201d Shagisultanova said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBreast cancer patients have enough on their plates already without losing their hair. We always support cooling therapies,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Drouet opted for a cold cap called a Penguin<\/a>. Using it was tough, but icy treatments coinciding with chemotherapy helped her keep her hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe looked as if she had not been on chemotherapy,\u201d Shagisultanova said.<\/p>\n

Young women\u2019s cancer: \u2018The stakes are high\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Shagisultanova prides herself on listening closely to each patient and working with her team to design custom, individualized treatment plans. She\u2019s hands-on and gets to know each patient. Since Drouet was new to UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Shagisultanova wanted to be sure she could find the infusion center for her first chemotherapy treatment, she followed along to give a warm handoff.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot
Dr. Nicole Kounalakis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

She instructs all her patients to call her Dr. Nova since her name is long and tough to pronounce. She uses both proven, traditional treatments and the newest clinical trials to get the best possible outcomes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy goal is to give them the best possible chances that the cancer will never come back,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

And with young women, the team offers care suited to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur program is fairly unique,\u201d Shagisultanova said. \u201cIn young women, the stakes are high. They have a higher risk of disease recurrence (meaning that cancer comes back). We want to do everything medically possible to keep them cancer-free, so they\u2019ll have years and years of life ahead of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once breast cancer begins spreading to lymph nodes, it\u2019s a clear sign that the cancer is aggressive.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lymph nodes are full of immune cells called lymphocytes that are supposed to recognize and kill the cancer cells,\u201d Shagisultanova said. \u201cIf cancer cells can survive and grow in the lymph nodes, it tells us that the cancer is capable of spreading further and overcoming the body\u2019s defenses.\u201d<\/p>\n

For cases like this, chemotherapy can reduce the chances of a cancer recurrence approximately by half, she said.<\/p>\n

Since the chemotherapy was essential, Shagisultanova did her best to decrease Drouet\u2019s stress and help her get through the treatments as painlessly as possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal is to give full doses of chemotherapy and stay on schedule to maximize the chances for cure. So I will support the patient as much as necessary to complete the program,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Goal for young women, and all others: keeping cancer away forever<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the newest discoveries is that it\u2019s great to keep exercising during chemotherapy, Shagisultanova said.<\/p>\n

Infusions typically make people feel exhausted.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot
Dr. Rachel Rabinovitch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a chemical-induced fatigue,\u201d Shagisultanova said.<\/p>\n

But sleep doesn\u2019t really help.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very counterintuitive, but walking and moving helps more than rest,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Drouet took her doctor\u2019s advice and did her best to push herself out the door, even for simple walks.<\/p>\n

In all, Drouet endured eight chemotherapy treatments spread out every other week over 16 weeks.<\/p>\n

Shagisultanova said Drouet is doing great.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am optimistic. No oncologist can guarantee a 100 percent cure. But we are striving to give people a very good chance of being cured: in the range of 90 percent,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Birds, butterflies and beauty<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Drouet is not quite done with treatments. She has to finish radiation. She has chosen to participate in a clinical trial that will shorten the duration of her radiation treatments, and radiation should be much easier than chemotherapy. Then she will continue to be monitored and will take the cancer-suppressing drug, tamoxifen, for up to 10 years.<\/p>\n

\"Louisa
Louisa Drouet does a yoga pose at sunset on a California beach. Her dad took the photo before he passed away last year. Photo courtesy of Louisa Drouet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But she\u2019s feels like she has faced her toughest challenge and is eager to get on with the next phase of her life just as her father would have encouraged her to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father loved birding and the roses of southern California, and my sister, who helped me find my team of doctors, loves butterflies. We believe when we see a certain bird perched watching us or a butterfly flutter by that they are signs he is with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recently, when Drouet lay down for her first radiation treatment, she saw two small tattered stickers on the machine above her: a pink rose and a butterfly. She instantly felt her dad\u2019s happy, healing presence just as she has while going through all of her cancer treatments.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as I\u2019m concerned, I\u2019m cancer free. The chances that it will come back are low. I\u2019m so thankful for the team I have, and the love and care they continue to show and give me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Drouet is inspired to seek joy and beauty now that she has faced one of the biggest challenges that a young woman can tackle, breast cancer.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a really tough year. Now I\u2019m ready to go have some fun, help others and move optimistically forward with my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Travel and yoga feed Louisa Drouet\u2019s soul. So, after finishing treatment for breast cancer next month, she plans to embark on what she\u2019s jokingly calling her \u201cWorld Victory Tour.\u201d Starting in September, she hopes to visit friends, celebrate life and do yoga in far-flung places from Shanghai to Sydney, Mumbai, Paris, London and Washington, D.C. 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