Kate Pingeon, 63, pancreatic cancer, with Marios Giannakis, MD, PhD, Medical Oncologist, Clinical Investigator, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Kate’s journey with cancer started 30 years ago when her mother passed away from breast cancer at age 58. Her mother’s doctors in New York City felt it wasn’t familial, but genetic testing in 2018 revealed Kate was positive for a breast cancer gene mutation; her sister was negative. Kate opted for aggressive preventative care, including a mastectomy and ovary removal in 2019. This was contrary to her mother’s approach, who always chose the least aggressive treatments during her two-year journey with cancer. In early 2023, Kate started experiencing shoulder pain. She was an avid racquet ball player, but knew this pain was different, because it affected everyday movements. After a CT scan, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Kate is undergoing chemotherapy. Kate is slowly integrating back into her old hobbies and habits like racquet sports, painting, and being around friends and family. Kate worked as a school counselor for 18 years before retiring during the pandemic. She’s supported by her husband, her twin children, her sister, and her sister’s twin children. Dr. Giannakis received his undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto in 2001 and his medical and doctoral degrees from Washington University School of Medicine in 2009. He subsequently completed his Internal Medicine residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and his fellowship in Medical Oncology and Hematology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.