Tiffany Acuff

San Antonio, Texas — Tiffany Acuff (35) devoted her days spent with family and friends and lived an active lifestyle doing CrossFit. As a person who worked out every day, she had no cause for concern when she noticed some abnormal discharge coming from one of her breasts, though she decided to get it evaluated out of precaution. Tiffany understood her family history of breast cancer but was never too concerned given her healthy lifestyle and negative genetic testing results. 

On December 28, 2016, Tiffany received the life-altering news of a breast cancer diagnosis. 

“I had no idea what I was doing or how to feel”, said Tiffany. “I really just sat there and cried most of the time, after finding out.” 

Tiffany instantly started to research all she could to understand what she might expect in the coming months with breast cancer treatments. She never expected everything to move so quickly. Within a month, she started receiving chemotherapy treatments which lasted for about six months for a full 16 rounds. In 2017, Tiffany went through 33 rounds of radiation and it was recommended that she undergo a double mastectomy, a surgical removal of both breasts. A few years later, Tiffany learned that her medication had caused a growth in her uterus, and in 2021, she underwent a hysterectomy, a surgical procedure to remove her uterus. 

“My entire life changed and turned upside down”, said Tiffany. “I had to get used to not having any hair, not being able to work out, always feeling sick, and not being able to sleep. The treatments were hard and the entire process felt like it was burning my soul.” 

Tiffany persevered through the challenges and credits her family and support group, including the Breast Cancer Program staff at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, for their support in making things easier at home. 

“Metropolitan is absolutely amazing, including my nurse navigator Susan Soulek,” said Tiffany. “She basically became my other mom while I was going through all of this. The entire staff always made me feel comfortable, ensuring I was going to be ok. I never worried about anything while here, I knew I was in safe hands. If it wasn’t for my support system and this place, I wouldn’t be here.” 

Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan provides experienced, compassionate nurse navigators who help guide patients through their cancer journey. The cancer nurse navigator is the patient’s medical system advocate and will help the patient and family understand each part of the cancer journey, while compassionately supporting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. 

Now in remission, Tiffany has a new take on life and chooses to live her life to the fullest through a new perspective.  

“It’s not easy and it’s something I still struggle with today, but I choose to find things that make me happy and I just do it,” said Tiffany. As soon as she was declared cancer-free, Tiffany knew she wanted to start working out again and give back to help others. 

“Before cancer, I had two full-time jobs and I worked out five to six times a week,” said Tiffany. “I was just all about working and making money because I had somewhere to be in life. I was always taking care of someone else. Once I got the diagnosis, I understood that I needed to start putting myself first.” 

Tiffany, now 41, offers emotional support to others going through a cancer diagnosis and encourages them to join support groups available online to connect with others managing a similar situation. In addition, Tiffany helps lead breast cancer care initiatives at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan to show support to the ones who most supported her. This includes coordinating their sponsored Breast Cancer walk, Paint the Parkway Pink, assisting with setting up mammograms in the hospital’s cafeteria, and attending breast cancer support group meetings. 

Tiffany knows getting a mammogram is something that most people don’t prioritize. She stays committed to supporting women going through a breast cancer diagnosis and encourages others to get their annual mammograms. 

“This isn’t something you do alone,” she said. Just check. Go get your Mammo and get checked. I was 35, in the best shape of my life, never thinking I could have cancer. You just never know.” 

For more information about cancer support, visit Methodist Healthcare.