“My dog discovered my cancer before my doctor did.”
Brianna Bortner’s dog, Mochi, began to behave strangely around her breasts prior to her diagnosis of stage 2B triple-negative breast cancer, showing a remarkable intuition throughout her journey.
A woman adopted a dog after her own battle with breast cancer, only to find that her pet was later diagnosed with the same condition. Vicky Dougan, 52, from the UK, shared that her dog Dolly (a Puchon) became an essential companion during her recovery from a subsequent cancer diagnosis.
Dougan’s first diagnosis came at age 39 when she noticed a dull pain and a lump in her armpit. Doctors confirmed it was invasive breast cancer that had spread. After chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, she was eventually deemed cancer-free.
However, at 44, Dougan faced a second diagnosis and learned she had a BRCA2 gene mutation, which heightens one’s risk for breast cancer. Following this, she opted for a double mastectomy.
During her recovery, she adopted Dolly in 2018, finding comfort and companionship during a challenging chapter in her life. “She’s like my shadow,” Dougan said. “She’s the most perfect little dog.”
In February 2026, when Dougan brought Dolly to the vet for what seemed to be an upset stomach, they discovered a lump under the dog’s nipple. “The vet said she needed a mastectomy, which was a huge shock,” Dougan recalled. “I didn’t even know dogs could have mastectomies.”
Dolly underwent surgery, and thankfully, it was confirmed the cancer was low malignancy, so no additional treatment was necessary. She was able to recover quickly. “She was resilient, just like I was,” Dougan noted, adding that people remarked how Dolly mirrored her own coping strategies.
Now, both Dougan and Dolly are cancer-free, looking ahead after their shared experiences. Dougan expressed hopes their story will inspire others navigating similar diagnoses, assuring them that recovery is achievable. “When I was first diagnosed, I was in complete shock,” she shared. “Chemotherapy was brutal, but thankfully I responded well.”
“Now I’m living my best life again,” she concluded. “I want people to know that while breast cancer is indeed scary, a fulfilling life is still possible.”
