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Katie Thurston Says Her Mother Has Breast Cancer After ‘Negative’ Mammogram

Her post underscores the limits of mammograms for dense breasts, urging supplemental imaging for those at risk.

Overview

  • Thurston disclosed on Jan. 19 that she flew to Seattle to attend her mother’s first appointment following the diagnosis.
  • She said a December 2025 mammogram for her mother was reported as “negative” and “probably benign,” with dense tissue noted and no further imaging recommended.
  • After Thurston urged an ultrasound because of dense breasts, doctors found suspicious masses, then performed a breast MRI and biopsies.
  • She said her mother received the diagnosis within about two weeks of the “normal” mammogram, and that more details on the extent of disease are forthcoming.
  • Thurston, who has publicly managed stage‑4 breast cancer since 2025, recently reported no evidence of disease on a liver MRI and noted treatment pauses due to liver enzyme concerns.