Michaela Del Barrio was just 37 years old when she heard the words she never thought she’d hear: “You have breast cancer.” It was a diagnosis that came after years of being told she was too young to worry.
But Del Barrio knew better. With a strong family history of breast cancer, she had always made it a point to raise the issue with her doctors — even when it meant being told repeatedly that there was no cause for concern.
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‘Completely shocked’
“So growing up, I knew it was always something I wanted to mention whenever I had a new provider,” Del Barrio said. “And I always brought it up.”
After the birth of her second child, she once again voiced her concerns. This time, Del Barrio’s doctor referred her to a high-risk specialist. There, she underwent an augmented MRI, which is a more detailed screening tool often used for patients with an elevated risk of breast cancer. The scan revealed a tumor.
“I was completely shocked,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it. I thought I was doing all the right things, being proactive about my health, always mentioning my family history, doing the risk assessments. I didn’t expect to actually be diagnosed.”
Risk factors, advocacy and screening
Del Barrio was diagnosed with breast cancer at an age well below the standard recommendation for routine mammograms, which typically begin at age 40 for women at average risk. Experts say her case highlights the importance of knowing your risk factors and advocating for yourself.
“There’s a breast cancer risk assessment tool that’s used in many high-risk clinics,” said Dr. Annabelle Veerapaneni, an oncologist with Northwestern Medicine and Del Barrio’s physician. “If someone has a family history or other risk factors, they should absolutely bring that to their provider’s attention. It can make all the difference.”
According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. While most cases are found in women over 50, about 9% of new cases are diagnosed in women under 45.
In Del Barrio’s case, her early and consistent advocacy helped catch the disease before it progressed further. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy. Her chemotherapy treatments are ongoing at Northwestern Medicine, and doctors say her prognosis is strong.
‘If you have a concern, speak up’
“I think what’s so important about sharing my story is because there aren’t a lot of women who look like me in the waiting room,” Del Barrio said. “It’s easy to feel invisible. But the reality is, breast cancer doesn’t discriminate.”
Veerapaneni said these disparities can be addressed, but only if patients are empowered and providers stay alert.
“What I think is really important for people to understand is that if you have a concern, speak up,” Veerapaneni said. “Follow up on it. Don’t wait. There’s always an opportunity to seek medical attention — and potentially save your life.”
For Del Barrio, speaking up not only gave her a second chance –– it may also give others a reason to do the same.
“If I had waited until I turned 40, I don’t even know what would have happened,” she said. “I’m just so glad I took the initiative to get assessed — to push for more screening, to not take ‘no’ for an answer.”
As she continues treatment and recovery, Del Barrio said her focus remains on her family and on helping other women take charge of their own health.
“I have a lot to live for,” she said. “And if sharing my story helps even one other woman catch this early, then it’s worth it.”
