NATALIE HYMAN

Natalie was diagnosed with stage 2 ER/PR+ breast cancer in 2009 at age 33. At that time, her mother was in active treatment for stage 4 breast cancer, which had recurred metastatic 19 years after early-stage diagnosis at age 40. Despite aggressive and comprehensive treatment, Natalie’s cancer returned in 2020 as stage 4 ER/PR+ metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Her local oncologist ordered a full body PET/CT and brain MRI upon diagnosis. The MRI revealed 26 small brain mets, all asymptomatic. Natalie has endured various therapies to treat MBC in the brain and body.

Natalie is a graduate of the 2022 Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s Hear My Voice Metastatic Advocacy Program. She continues to work as an advocate mentor with GRASP. She is incredibly grateful to be a member of the national Breast Cancer Brain Mets (BCBM) Support Group (sponsored by SHARE Cancer Support). Natalie serves as a brain mets patient advocate for the MBC Alliance’s Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis Initiative. Natalie’s local advocacy concentrates on bringing clinical trials to Hawaii where she currently lives. She is co-leader of the Patient Advocacy Council for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.