I truly believe that I made the earliest possible catch, twice, at such monumental times in my life, for a reason. I am always looking for opportunities to share my story because it’s the textbook example of why it is so important to advocate for your own health and take advantage of available resources.
If you would like to find time to talk, book a speaking engagement, or request a submitted article, please email me.
Women’s Health: 14 People Share The Most Thoughtful Gifts They Received During Breast Cancer Treatment
SEPTEMBER 20, 2021
For Kate Catlin Payne, of Raleigh, North Carolina, the most thoughtful gift was an ear. “The pregnancy pillow saved my life post-mastectomy and the comforts, kind notes, flowers, and treats absolutely lifted by heart tremendously,” she says. “But the people who had the guts to ask how I was doing and really push to listen and hear all of my fears and feelings—that is so thoughtful.”
Women’s Health: 7 Breast Cancer Survivors Share What Surprised Them Most About Having Cancer
SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
The surprising part was how uncomfortable that makes other people. People desperately need you to be okay. They really want to hear it’s all gone and everything is fine. That was tough. I often have to think through how I want to handle that.” —Kate Catlin Payne, Raleigh, North Carolina
Romper: Trying For A Baby After Cancer: Young Women Deal With Their Hopes For A Family
OCTOBER 24, 2017
“One day, my husband looked at me and said, have you ever considered not wanting to pass this gene to our future children?” Kate Payne tells me.
Most cancer survivors preserve their fertility in order to have a genetic link with their children. But what if genetics are the problem?
WRAL: Genetic test leads woman to early breast cancer screening, diagnosis
MAY 5, 2017
Who should be screened for breast cancer and when? Those can be complicated questions, with different recommendations coming from expert organizations.
While the general guideline is to begin annual screening at 40, some younger women become aware of their higher risk due to family history.
The News & Observer: She had a genetics test at age 30, then a double mastectomy
MAY 3, 2017
Last spring, Kate Payne was an excited bride-to-be, trying on dresses and picking out flowers, when she first heard the diagnosis: DCIS, an early form of breast cancer, requiring a lumpectomy as her wedding day drew near.
She had the surgery, then a second, but couldn’t get cancer-free. So on her doctor’s advice, she opted for a double mastectomy three days after nuptials – canceling a trip to Hawaii.