Chelsea’s Story: Diagnosed With Breast Cancer at 25

moderators

Sep 9, 2025

After genetic testing showed she had a BRIP1 mutation, Chelsea Vangrol’s doctor sent her for a baseline mammogram at age 25.

A medical assistant at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Upstate New York, Chelsea Vangrol had seen young women diagnosed with breast cancer. But she never expected to be one of them. She shares her experience of being diagnosed with DCIS at age 25 so other people in a similar situation will know they’re not alone.

Listen to the episode to hear Chelsea discuss:

• strategies she used to cope with stress and fear
• the factors she considered when making treatment decisions
• what she’d like other people who are diagnosed with breast cancer in their 20s to know

Listen now or read the transcript.