Real Housewives Star Says Breast Cancer Gave Her a ‘Different Type of Strength’

Real Housewives of Miami star Guerdy Abraira says her breast cancer journey has given her a “different type of strength and confidence.” “My breast was very dense to the point where [my doctor said], ‘We’re not touching anything until you get a mammogram,’” she told Healthline. The mammogram led to a diagnosis of stage 1B estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer in her left breast. This type of cancer feeds on estrogen to grow.

“You feel such a helplessness,” Abraira said. “[There’s] a disbelief that you cannot get over for the first few months, you know? And then … you have to face the reality of it and then figure it out.” In June 2026, Abraira had surgery to remove the cancerous tumor. She then chose to have tissue from the tumor tested with the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score to determine the likelihood that the cancer would return, and whether having chemotherapy would benefit her. The results helped her and her doctor determine that 12 weeks of chemotherapy was appropriate. “[I’m] thankful that I was able to actually utilize this test and be able to see the mathematics of it all,” said Abraira. “Radiation therapy is typically given to the remaining breast tissue after lumpectomy,” Doreen Agnese , MD, a surgical oncologist, clinical geneticist, and professor at The Ohio State University, told Healthline. Agnese said radiation to the lymph nodes that are not removed in the armpit, above the collarbone, and along the breastbone is also recommended when lymph node involvement is identified, whether after a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. Decisions about chemotherapy and targeted therapies are typically based on the size of the tumor, the status of the lymph nodes, and the receptor status of the tumor. “These factors also help to determine sequencing of therapy. For certain types of tumors (ER positive tumors), genomic testing assays such as Oncotype or Mammaprint can help determine appropriate systemic therapy,” said Agnese. There were tough days along the way, though.

Key points

• “You feel such a helplessness,” Abraira said.
• “[There’s] a disbelief that you cannot get over for the first few months, you know?
• And then … you have to face the reality of it and then figure it out.” In June 2026, Abraira had surgery to remove the cancerous tumor.
• She then chose to have tissue from the tumor tested with the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score to determine the likelihood that the cancer would return, and whether having chemotherapy would bene…
• The results helped her and her doctor determine that 12 weeks of chemotherapy was appropriate.