Cancer Diagnosis Before Wedding

Bride Diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer Weeks Before Her Wedding Advocates for Others

Sara Sandoval was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer eight weeks before her wedding. Sandoval, who was 35 at the time, had no family history of breast cancer and was not immediately aware of any obvious warning signs. She had been experiencing a strange sensation in her upper left armpit, but assumed it was from working out. A few weeks later, she found a small lump in her breast and had it checked. Three weeks later she had a full-body CT scan showing the cancer had spread to her liver. Following her diagnosis, Sandoval started chemotherapy and continued planning her wedding day. She manages her metastatic cancer through a combination hormone therapy and targeted therapy. She also leads a digital magazine, Cancer Unfilfilfil, participating in support groups and advocating for others with stage 4 cancer.