Survivor Hannah Slocum, now 28, was just 24 when diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer 

 

In January 2022, just seven months after her mother was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer the previous June, Hannah Slocum also faced a breast cancer diagnosis -- an aggressive Stage 3 cancer. She was 24. That diagnosis came after she’d been experiencing symptoms that progressively became worse. 

“Given my young age, many turned a blind eye to thinking that my symptoms were cancer-related. After advocating for myself persistently, I finally had some scans done and was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Stage 3 breast cancer.” 

Hannah, a Quinnipiac University graduate, says that her career as an ultrasound technologist may have been a lifesaver, as she pushed to ensure that those scans were done. 

“I owe this career my life,” she said.

“Initially, I was scared out of my mind, who wouldn’t be when they hear the word cancer, especially at just 24? I knew this was going to be a very difficult uphill battle, but I knew I would be tough enough to get to the other side.”

 

Getting to the other side

Hannah does not hold back when describing her treatment: “In one word: horrendous.”

Six rounds of chemotherapy. Thirty-four radiation treatments. Fourteen immunotherapy sessions. And five major surgeries. 

“Chemotherapy was the toughest hill to climb,” she said, but noted her oncologist told her it ‘won’t be easy for you by any means, but I know you can handle it.’ 

“The after effects of chemo were not only tough on me, but also on my family to watch. Not only did I face issues physically, such as nausea and vomiting, but I also battled mental struggles.” Some days, she couldn’t get out of bed or didn’t have the energy to face the day. 

“My mind went to a very dark place, and when you already have zero energy, it’s really hard to find the motivation to keep going,” she said. “But thankfully, with an amazing team of Hartford Healthcare Cancer Center doctors, support of family and friends, and my strong faith, I was able to make it out to the other side.”

After fighting for two years, with her most recent surgery just a few months ago, Hannah is in a much better place. 

“Now I can breathe,” she said. But, she is still closely monitored by her care team. 

She loves spending time with family and friends, staying active, unwinding at the beach, taking pottery classes and knitting, including hats for patients at the cancer center.

 

Words fail when describing how “fortunate I am.”

Her family includes her parents, Peter and Sandra; her sister, Sarah; her brother-in-law, Caleb; two pups, Bunker and Pearl; and a spunky cat, Phoebe. 

“I don’t even have enough words to describe how fortunate I am for the family I have and the support they showed continuously,” Hannah said. “They were my rock through this whole process.” 

“My mom had an incredible ability to make me laugh, even on the days when I wanted nothing more than to curl up and hide from the world,” Hannah said. 

“No matter how hard the day was, she found a way to bring a smile to my face when I needed it most,” she said. “Every time we walked into a doctor’s office or headed in for treatment, we would pause and say to each other, ‘Let’s get this done.’ It became our ritual—and that simple phrase gave me strength in more ways than she will ever know.”

She described her father this way: “My dad is the sports guy. On weekends, we’re always flipping between basketball, golf, and football. During chemo, March Madness was on, and he made sure we never missed a big upset—especially while cheering on the dominant UConn Huskies. We’re also avid golfers, and when treatment and surgeries sidelined me, he took me along to ride in the golf cart while he played. I joked it was his only chance to enjoy me not beating him. Those outings gave me fresh air, an escape from reality, and a few hours when I felt like my old self again.”

And about her problem-solver sister, Sarah, she said that while breast cancer was something she could not fix, “Instead, she helped by making sure we went on little adventures together, even if it was just a weekend trip to Target.” 

“She always found ways to lift my spirits, from planning movie nights with our cousins to finding the latest arts-and-crafts project,” she said. “One day, exhausted and unable to put on a brave face, I woke from a nap to see a Valentine’s Day balloon floating in my room—one she had snuck in. It brought both tears and a smile, reminding me how lucky I am to have a big sister who always looks out for me.”

Hannah said that many helped her get through her breast cancer battle. “Many brought home-cooked meals, others hosted family dinners, many sweet treats were delivered, craft nights, learning to knit from one of my aunts, and so many other memories created together during a dark time.”

 

Giving thanks for her care team

Hannah said she is “deeply grateful to the care team that guided me through my cancer journey.”

Her oncologist, Dr. Amandeep Aujla, took lifesaving, aggressive measures, and Dr. Kathleen Kurowski, her breast surgeon, provided calm, compassionate care that stayed with me long after her retirement. Dr. Alvaro Menendez supported her recovery through immunotherapy and a clinical trial. Her plastic surgery team, Dr. Vinod Pathy and Megan Phillips, helped restore both her body and her confidence. 

“I also thank the many radiologists, nurses, technicians, and staff whose support helped me beat cancer,” she added. 

 

“I do believe that cancer has changed my life for the better.”

Hannah said that while it “may sound strange,” she believes cancer changed her life for the better. 

“It taught me to appreciate the small moments and showed me that if I can face cancer head-on, very little can intimidate me now. I learned patience—not just with the world, but with myself,” she said. “I also learned that vulnerability is not a weakness. Expressing emotions isn’t just important—it’s healthy. There were times I wanted to keep everything bottled up, but I learned that doing so only causes more harm.”

Her advice for those in treatment: “To anyone going through this, it’s okay not to be okay all the time. Let your guard down and lean on those around you.”

When asked how she feels as a breast cancer survivor, she was candid. “It feels surreal to say that I’m a survivor,” she said. “Nothing prepares you for cancer, but it revealed a strength and courage I never knew I had. Life will always throw curveballs—it’s how we face them that shows who we truly are.”

Hannah is turning the page on that chapter of her life, though she is now part of a movement to find a cure. 

In October 2025, shortly before her last surgery, Hannah did the TBBCF Walk for a Cure. With “Team Cancer Crushers,” she did the quarter marathon. 

“As a first-time participant of the Walk, I must say it was a privilege to be a part of such an incredible fundraiser and look forward to taking part in many years to come.”