Patient Voices: Alayna Hudson Moore
Patient Voices: Alayna Hudson Moore
Overview
In January 2024, Alayna Hudson Moore was sick with the flu and found a lump. At 27, she thought it was nothing more than a swollen lymph node. But concern grew when it didn’t go away. Her husband encouraged her to get it checked, so she made an appointment with her OB-GYN. Her provider confirmed it was a lump and referred her to a radiologist for a breast ultrasound and biopsy.
A few days later, her biopsy results returned; the lump was cancerous. “I feel like a part of me knew it could be cancer because I have a family history of cancer, so I always kind of figured I would get cancer at some point in my life,” said Alayna. “I just didn’t think it would be at 27.”
The result read: ductal carcinoma, with metastasis to two lymph nodes. For Alayna, hearing the word “cancer” felt like a death sentence. “Everyone I had known with cancer had died from it, so my first reaction was: I’m going to die,” she said.
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The fear she had subsided when she met Julie M. Sprunt, M.D., FACS, a board-certified breast surgeon at Texas Breast Specialists, a part of Texas Oncology.
“Talking to Dr. Sprunt was like a breath of fresh air,” shared Alayna. “She was the first person that made me feel okay, like this is something we can fight, something that I can survive or try to survive.”
Alayna’s Treatment Plan at Texas Breast Specialists
It was during Alayna’s appointment with Dr. Sprunt that she learned about all her treatment options. Dr. Sprunt referred Alayna to Beth Hellerstedt, M.D., a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist at Texas Oncology-Round Rock for treatment planning.
“Texas Oncology set a high bar,” said Alayna. “Everyone was extremely kind, treated me like I was their only patient even though I know they have much more patients with complex cases and much more dire stakes.”
Because Alayna tested positive for the BRCA2 mutation, her care team took a comprehensive approach to treatment. Dr. Hellerstedt and her team worked closely with Alayna to develop a personalized plan that included 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiation, and hormone treatment to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
BRCA2 mutations are linked to a higher risk of cancer recurrence because the gene normally helps repair damaged DNA. When it isn’t working properly, cancer cells can continue to accumulate genetic changes, allowing them to adapt, mutate, and become more resistant to treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
“I chose the double mastectomy because I have the BRCA2 gene,” explained Alayna. “The BRCA gene gives you a higher chance of recurrence, and I didn’t want to have to deal with that, so I chose to do the double mastectomy in hopes that I would not get cancer again on the left side and hopefully prevent reoccurrence.”
After completing her mastectomy, Alayna underwent DIEP flap reconstruction, an advanced surgical procedure that rebuilds the breast using skin and fat from the lower abdomen.
While several reconstruction options were available, she ultimately selected DIEP flap because she wanted to use her own tissue. During her research, Alayna also realized the procedure wasn’t often discussed as an option for younger women.
“I really want women to know they have choices when it comes to reconstruction,” shared Alayna. “When I was initially learning about it, I thought I would just have to get implants or go flat, and I thought those were kind of my only options.”
Now, she says the outcome has allowed her to return to activities she enjoys. “I’m happy to report I can lay on my stomach. I can bench press.”
What Treatment Close to Home Meant for Alayna
Alayna received treatment close to home at Texas Oncology-Round Rock. “It really helped my mental health because I only had to go into the clinic once a week or every couple of days,” she said. “I was able to get in and out quickly.” Convenient access to care enabled Alayna to continue working through chemotherapy and have a positive outlook. “So having treatment close to home saved me so much time and kept me living life how I normally would have,” explained Alayna.
Treatment close to home also meant that Alayna was surrounded by the communities she’s a part of, including Urban Lagree. As she recovered from surgery, she wasn’t able to do upper body movements, but her fitness community stepped in with support — offering modifications and encouraging her during workouts.
“It was just a wave of love from everybody,” she said.
Cancer and Fertility
Fertility wasn’t top of mind for Alayna until she was diagnosed with cancer. For many women of childbearing ages, a cancer diagnosis brings fertility into focus much sooner than expected, as certain treatments can affect reproductive organs or hormone levels.
Alayna chose to move forward with in vitro fertilization (IVF). “For other young women who are diagnosed so early on and have to make choices about fertility, I think it’s important to know that you do have options,” she said.
Options such as egg freezing, IVF, donor eggs, and adoption can make family planning possible after a cancer diagnosis.
What’s Ahead
One of the biggest misconceptions about finishing cancer treatment is that it means a patient is “done.” For those with hormone-receptor-positive cancers, like Alayna, treatment often continues long after initial therapy ends. This can include long-term hormone-blocking medications and managing medical menopause — menopause brought on by treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.
“I hope to educate more people, because I get asked a lot, ‘So chemo’s over and you’re done?’” Alayna said. “And I’m like, ‘I’ll be in treatment for the next 10 years at least.’ I’m very lucky to be in treatment and be able to take these medicines that will hopefully prevent me from having cancer again, but my journey isn’t over.”
That perspective has fueled Alayna’s passion for raising awareness, especially around genetic testing. “As someone with a BRCA gene who didn’t know I had the BRCA gene until I was already diagnosed with cancer that had already spread to the lymph nodes, I am passionate about trying to tell everyone I know to get genetically tested,” she added.
Despite the need for ongoing treatment, Alayna remains focused on her goals. One of them: running a marathon before 30. While she turns this year, she’s still determined to cross the finish line soon.
The information included in this testimonial is based on one patient’s unique experience and is not intended to represent all patient outcomes or expectations.