Shelby Young, 49, breast cancer, Orrington ME, with Kristina Worcester, RN, Breast Oncology Nurse Navigator

Shelby has been having mammograms every 6 months for the past 2 years because of
dense breast tissue. In March 2022, the mammogram looked suspicious, so she had an
ultrasound later that day. A biopsy two weeks later confirmed that she had triple negative right
breast cancer. She started treatment at Dana-Farber, once a week for 8 weeks, then once every
3 weeks until April of 2023. Throughout that process, Shelby had a lumpectomy in September of
2022 and a month of radiation in December.
· Before the lumpectomy, Shelby’s surgeon placed a bead where the tumor had been, and
after removing the tissue around the bead area, the area came back negative for breast cancer.
She is no longer in treatment. Shelby has had immense support from family and friends; as the
Team Mom for her daughter’s travel softball team, the support from all the girls has given her
so much encouragement.
· She works as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department and many call her
“Mumma Shelbs” too. Every step of the way, she has felt thankful for her care team and the
entire nurse IV team – especially Kristina Worcester.! For Shelby, her treatment and support
from Dana-Farber has been “outstanding!”
Breast cancer facts
· According to BreastCancer.org, one in eight women in the United States will
be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
· Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin
cancers. It is about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year.
· Breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin to grow abnormally. These cells
divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass.
· According to the American Cancer Society, 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer
will be diagnosed in women in the United States for 2023, and about 43,700 women will die
from breast cancer.

· Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,800 men will be diagnosed with
breast cancer in 2023 and approximately 530 will die each year. For men, the lifetime risk of
getting breast cancer is about 1 in 833.
· On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and woman will
die of breast cancer every 13 minutes.
· At this time, there are more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
Kristina Worcester, RN
· After her younger brother was treated at Dana-Farber years ago, Kristina knew that this
was the place she wanted to be for her nursing career. Now, she’s a Breast Oncology Nurse
Navigator, creating strong relationships and working as a “lifeline” for her patients, alongside
the doctors and advanced practice providers. She notes that her brother’s oncology team years
ago showed deep commitment and care and Kristina carries that same drive in her own role.
· One of Kristina’s first patients was Shelby Young, also a nurse, who worked in her local
hospital’s emergency room. Inspired by Shelby’s positivity and resilience, the two quickly
formed an easy-going relationship. Kristina explains that once they worked through symptoms
and care needs, their visits simply became more conversational. Today, Shelby is doing better,
meaning less trips to Dana-Farber, but the team will always miss her bubbly and delightful
personality.
· Outside of her role, Kristina has spent all her extra time taking care of her puppy, Sully,
and spending quality time with friends and family.