Actor Ken Jeong’s Wife Got Aggressive Breast Cancer After Having Their Twins Both Being Doctors, They Thought She Had Breastfeeding Infection

The two married in 2004 before welcoming their twin daughters Zooey and Alexa to the world in 2007. That very same year, Ken’s acting career took off after he landed his role as Mr. Chow in “The Hangover.”

But amid all the highs of such a wonderful year, Tran found a hard lump in her breast one day while breastfeeding. But both Tran and Ken leaned on their medical training to work through the problem, initially thinking it was an issue related to breastfeeding.

“It's so common to get a plugged duct or mastitis (infection). Those are very common,” Ken said.

“As physicians we would see those all the time, and reassure the patient ‘These are just plugged up ducts, that happens, you'll be fine.’

“This one didn't go away. It just got bigger. I remember the whole time, neither of us were thinking of cancer … We were just like, ‘Oh man, it's probably infected… ugh.’ We actually tried some antibiotics and nothing was working. It was just getting bigger and more red. That to me, I thought was an infection.”

Tran and Ken Jeong Face Cancer Together

Eventually, Tran was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 after seeing another doctor.

“She did a biopsy, and it was negative for cancer. Yet it kept getting bigger and I'm like, ‘Great, this infection is getting worse,'” “The Masked Singer” judge explained. “I was just worried … I remember thinking, ‘This is getting more red, more painful and it's just hot to the touch.’

“We went back to the surgeon … and she said it didn't look like an infection. And then, literally a couple days later, it came back as stage 3, triple-negative breast cancer. Which is one of the top three most aggressive breast cancers there is. So it was just… the worst day of my life. It was just, ‘How the F could this happen?'”

RELATED: How to Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Keytruda Shows Promising Boost in Survival

According to SurvivorNet advisor Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, stage 3 breast cancer “refers to a relatively larger-sized tumor” that may have invaded nearby tissue and likely affected lymph nodes.

The triple-negative distinction means her cancer did not have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors or a larger-than-normal amount of HER2 receptors. Because of this, the cancer doesn’t respond to any therapies that target those receptors, making it difficult to treat.

Visit SurvivorNet’s Breast Cancer resource center for expert information on treating Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

I Wanted My Doctor To Like Me, Then He Missed My Breast Cancer

Tran underwent treatment while Ken was filming “The Hangover.” Thankfully, she responded well to her chemotherapy, mastectomy (removal of the breast) and radiation and remains cancer free to this day.

Now, Tran is urging others to pay attention to any changes to their bodies – whether you have a medical degree or not.

“Always be aware. If you feel the lump, get it checked,” Tran said.

“And, honestly, sometimes doctors don't always get it right. If the answer doesn't make sense to you, it's always good to be your own advocate.”

A Plugged Milk Duct or Mastitis Vs. Breast Cancer

Plugged, or clogged, ducts are common in breastfeeding mothers, according to WIC Breastfeeding Support from the U.S. government.

It occurs when a milk duct does not drain correctly, and it can feel like a tender, sore lump or a knot in the breast. Because of building pressure behind the duct, the surrounding tissue becomes irritated.

The WIC says women can seek help from a WIC breastfeeding expert or a lactation consultant if you have persistent issues with plugged ducts.

Mastitis, on the other hand, is a breast infection that can feel like a plugged duct. It can be hard to tell the difference between the two because they have similar symptoms and both may get better within a day or two, but mastitis may also present with other signs like:

• Flu-like symptoms fever, chills, body aches, nausea, vomiting or fatigue.
• Yellowish nipple discharge that looks like colostrum.
• Tender, warm or hot-to-the-touch breasts that appear pink or red.

WIC Breastfeeding Support suggests that people who show signs of mastitis or do not feel better within 24 hours of following their tips for relief should contact their doctor.

Breast cancer can present with no symptoms at all or a variety of symptoms that may look similar to that of plugged ducts or mastitis.

On top of keeping up with an individualized mammogram screening schedule, women should be performing regular breast self-exams and familiarizing themselves with what their breasts feel like normally.

Getting to Know Your Breasts with Self-Exams

“When we think about prevention breast cancer prevention and awareness the first step is that women need to feel comfortable with their breasts,” Dr. Elizabeth Comen said.

"For some women, that may mean going to their doctor and walking through what a self-breast exam might feel like so that they know what normal breast tissue feels like, so that if they do feel anything abnormal whether it's a lump or discharge from the nipple that they know what to ask and what to look for."

During a breast self-exam, SurvivorNet recommends you look for changes like:

• A new lump in the breast
• New swelling in the breast
• Changes to the nipple (such as puckering)
• Flaking or redness in the breast or nipple
• Discharge (including blood) coming from the nipple
• Pain in the breast

Don’t hesitate to speak up if you notice one or more of the above symptoms. And remember it’s important you always address any concerns about your health with a doctor.

Even if the symptoms you’re experiencing are simply from a plugged milk duct, it’s worth it to make sure your issues are properly investigated and addressed to rule out any chance of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.