Living with cancer, walking with hope

When Kathleen Brothers, of Worcester, lines up for this year’s UMass Cancer Walk on Sept. 28 at Polar Park, she’ll be surrounded by the same faith, strength and determination that have carried her through not one, but two cancer diagnoses. 

Kathy’s personal experience with cancer began long before her own diagnosis. Ten years ago, she lost her mother to aggressive brain cancer that had metastasized from the lung, likely originating in the thyroid. 

“Doctors believe the source was her thyroid but her cancer was so aggressive at that point it was hard to determine,” Kathy said. “She lived for a few months before passing away.” 

In 2017, Kathy learned she had four cancerous tumors on her left kidney, which were surgically removed by Jennifer Yates, MD, associate professor of urology. The following year, Dr. Yates performed a second surgery to remove three more cancerous tumors on Kathy’s right kidney. Dr. Yates explained how rare it was to receive a dual kidney cancer diagnosis. Soon after, Kathy was diagnosed with Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, a rare, inherited disorder that significantly increases the risk of developing benign and cancerous tumors in the kidney, lung and skin. 

“There is currently no cure but because of the amazing doctors and research being done at UMass Chan I feel that they will find a cure,” Kathy said. 

That hope was tested again last November when doctors noticed a suspicious spot on her left lung. After a biopsy confirmed cancer, Mark Maxfield, MD, associate professor of surgery, removed 65 to 75 percent of her left lung along with 20 lymph nodes. 

Recovery has been slow, but Kathy is grateful to be back doing what she loves: teaching first graders at Flagg Street School in Worcester. She’s now entering her 34th year in the classroom. 

Through three major surgeries, numerous procedures, countless scans and medication changes over the past eight years, Kathy says her husband, Steve, and their faith have been her source of strength. Cancer research has made all the difference in her quality of life. She mentions again that UMass Chan physician-scientists are at the forefront of research. 

“I've still been able to enjoy time with my family, especially our trips to Boston to visit our son, Matthew, trips to the Cape to visit my father, and always with us is my mother-in-law. I’ve been fortunate enough to continue my work as a teacher, enjoy time with my friends and all my activities of working out and gardening,” the avid runner said. “Yes, I've had to make adjustments but I'm here and living with cancer. More importantly, I truly believe these amazing researchers will find a cure in the near future.” 

Kathy and her fundraising team, Brothers Strong, have participated in the UMass Cancer Walk for the past seven years, beginning just 11 months after her first diagnosis. 

For Kathy, the UMass Cancer Walk is more than an annual event—it’s a meaningful opportunity to support cutting-edge cancer research that gives people like her more years and better outcomes. 

 “Words cannot express my gratitude to every volunteer, sponsor, donor and each person who walks and has purchased a Brothers Strong T-shirt or sweatshirt,” she said. “These people enable the dedicated team of doctors, nurses and researchers to continue to do amazing things for so many people.”