Kira Rubiano | Breast Cancer (Bilateral) Diagnosed at 39, Stage 1
Kira Rubiano was 39, healthy, active, and thriving as a Partner in a global payroll consulting firm and a mom of two. She walked daily, crushed it on her Peloton, ate well, took her supplements, and stayed on top of routine doctor visits. A cancer diagnosis? Not on her radar. Reducing your cancer risk matters, but cancer doesn’t always care how fit you are—or how busy, how young, or how good your labs look. And Kira is living proof that being proactive can save your life.
🚿 Self-Aware in the Shower
Even though she wasn’t eligible for mammograms yet, Kira had started doing monthly self-exams—sparked by the diagnosis of another woman she knew at age 38. One May morning in 2025, during a shower, Kira felt something unfamiliar in her left breast. A small, hard lump—no bigger than a blueberry. Her stomach dropped. This was new. She asked her husband to check, just to be sure she wasn’t overreacting. He felt it too.
🩺 Getting Checked—Even When Others Doubt
Though she had a clean clinical breast exam just seven months earlier at her OB/GYN visit, Kira trusted her gut. She scheduled an appointment the next day. Her doctor thought it was likely a cyst—“90% sure”—but agreed to a diagnostic mammogram just in case.
That “just in case” turned out to be everything.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Within four weeks of finding the lump, Kira received her diagnosis: Stage 0 breast cancer in one breast, and Stage 1 in the other. A bilateral diagnosis—two separate cancers at the same time, which is rare. She chose a double mastectomy. Pathology from the surgery revealed an additional tumor that hadn’t shown up on imaging, and her stage was upgraded. A microscopic trace of cancer was also found in a lymph node. Despite being blindsided, Kira made every decision from a place of clarity—and urgency. Her care team is currently determining the best next steps, balancing options like radiation and chemotherapy with the added challenge of a rare autoimmune skin disease.
🧬 No “Perfect Patient” Exemption
Kira had no significant family history—just one grandmother who was diagnosed in her 70s. She ate well. Exercised. Did everything “right.” She even (half-jokingly) thought her smaller breast size might mean lower risk or an easier path to detection.
But breast cancer doesn’t follow rules.
Born near Chernobyl and only six months old when the disaster occurred, Kira is now speaking out about the importance of not just family history, but environmental exposures too. Still, she’s quick to point out: “I hope people don’t think that’s why I got it—and dismiss their own risks.”
📣 Why She’s Speaking Up
As the youngest in her family ever diagnosed with cancer, Kira became a sobering reminder of just how early cancer can appear. Kira is now sharing her journey openly on social media with her 5K+ followers, determined not to be ashamed—and hoping her story sparks life-saving action in others.
“Know your body. Trust that little voice when it says something’s not right. Don’t brush it off. Don’t wait. Push for answers—your life may depend on it.”
Kira’s Story is a 3 Steps Detect® Story
Step 1 – Know Your Great health: Kira knew what “normal” felt like for her body and trusted herself when something changed.
Step 2 – 2-Week Rule: She noticed a change. She recognized the lump quickly—before any visible signs or pain—and took timely action, confirming it wasn’t her imagination.
Step 3 – Share with Your Doctor: She acted on it. She didn’t delay. She advocated for testing, got a prompt diagnosis, and took decisive steps with her medical team.
✅ What You Can Do
If you’re under 40 and think cancer screening doesn’t apply to you—Kira’s story is your wake-up call. Start doing monthly self-exams. Learn the 3 Steps Detect. Share this story with a friend. And if something feels off, speak up. Early detection saves lives.
Symptoms
- Lump on Breast
