A model struggled to get treated for aggressive breast cancer, so she moved thousands of miles away

Key Points:

• Alison McCullough, a 39-year-old aspiring model, discovered a lump under her arm but faced delays in diagnosis due to age restrictions and limited healthcare options in Alaska, ultimately being diagnosed with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer after nearly two months.
• Triple-negative breast cancer lacks the receptors targeted by many treatments, making chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and newer therapies the primary options; despite advances, treatment remains challenging and time-sensitive.
• Facing long wait times for chemotherapy in Alaska, McCullough transferred her care to City of Hope in Arizona, where she began treatment within days and completed a six-month chemotherapy regimen with manageable side effects.
• After chemotherapy, McCullough underwent a preventive double mastectomy and was declared cancer-free by her oncologist, allowing her to start reconstructive surgery and return home to Alaska.
• McCullough plans to focus on family, resume physical fitness, and eventually return to modeling and fashion shows, aiming to inspire others with her cancer survival story.