Triumph Over Multiple Myeloma and Breast Cancer

By Dr. Rupesh J. Parikh | Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada

Danielle Green’s journey to healing began not with a doctor’s visit, but with a decision to put her health first. At 55, the Henderson business owner and mother of one had launched a personal fitness plan, determined to lose weight and lower her blood pressure before undergoing an elective breast reduction. What started as a routine checkup became life-changing when her cardiologist ordered blood work and discovered unusually high protein levels. The results pointed toward multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer, and she was referred to Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (Comprehensive) for answers. 

Under my care, Danielle was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in January 2024. As we began treatment at Comprehensive, a PET scan revealed something unexpected: a small, two-centimeter mass in her right breast. Further testing confirmed it was a HER2-positive, ER-negative breast tumor. Because of the tumor’s aggressive nature, we paused myeloma therapy so she could begin chemotherapy for breast cancer immediately. From April through June, Danielle endured the rigors of chemotherapy with the grace and determination that have defined her life. 

In July under care from the Comprehensive team, she underwent surgery, and the pathology report brought welcome news — her tumor had completely responded to treatment. “It was just gone,” she recalls with a smile. While Danielle now prepares for three weeks of radiation and a planned stem cell transplant to keep her myeloma in check, her cancer markers today are nearly undetectable. 

A Kansas City native who has called Las Vegas home for 20 years, Danielle is the founder of Radically Curly in Henderson, a salon and community hub where she and her team of seven stylists champion natural hair. Throughout her treatment at Comprehensive, she continued to inspire her clients and the broader curly-hair community. Determined to keep her own curls, 

Danielle used a cold-cap therapy during chemotherapy, which limited her hair loss to about 30 percent and allowed her to embrace a stylish curly pixie cut. 

Faith, family and fitness have guided Danielle’s fight. She credits her 26-year-old daughter, friends and clients for surrounding her with support and prayer. “I declared every day, ‘I am healed, and I am whole,’” she says. Even on the hardest days, she made time for gentle walks to stay strong. “Keep moving your body and trust the process,” she advises others facing a similar diagnosis. 

Danielle’s story is a testament to early detection and the level of care she received at Comprehensive. From spotting a hidden tumor on a PET scan to customizing a treatment plan that addressed two cancers at once, the team at Comprehensive worked alongside her every step of the way. Today she stands as proof that vigilance, faith and a collaborative medical approach can lead to extraordinary outcomes. As a bonus, she’s inspired an entire community to prioritize health and regular screenings. 

Rupesh J. Parikh, MD, is practice president and a medical oncologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada.