Breast Cancer Awareness Month: the story of an inspiring fight.

Every year, October is decked out in pink to raise awareness of a cause that concerns us all: the fight against breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a key moment for raising awareness, providing information and mobilising support for a cause that today affects nearly one in eight women during their lifetime.

Beyond the statistics, it is a month dedicated to prevention, early detection and, above all, solidarity with those who are going through or have gone through the disease. Thanks to medical advances, widespread prevention and the strength of those who share their stories, hope grows a little more every day.

In this spirit, we are honoured to share with you today the inspiring testimony of a woman, or rather a warrior, who faced breast cancer with courage and resilience, while keeping a smile on her face. Her inspiring story illustrates how the fight against this disease is a battle that requires strength, resilience and support.

The announcement

When and how did you learn about your cancer? How did you feel at that moment?

"Before I tell you about the diagnosis, I think it's important to put the situation into context.

My mother had fallopian tube cancer, and as part of her follow-up care, her oncologist explained to her that it would be important for me to have regular preventive check-ups (mammograms, gynaecological appointments, etc.).

And it was during an annual mammogram that the radiologist told me that they had detected a mass that looked like a tumour. The news came as a shock, even though the radiologist was very kind and considerate in breaking the news and explaining the treatment that would follow: a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, appointments with the gynaecologist, treatment.

In a matter of seconds, my world fell apart. There were so many thoughts racing through my head, and I couldn't help but think of my mum."

Quelle est la première chose que vous avez faite après l’annonce ?

« Je sors du rendez-vous absolument bouleversée, beaucoup d’interrogations me viennent en tête à cet instant. Et pourtant, la vie continue. Ce jour-là sans savoir qu’on m’annoncerait la découverte d’un cancer, j’avais planifié un rendez-vous très important que je ne pouvais pas manquer. Aussi fou que cela puisse paraître, pour les autres comme pour moi, je suis arrivée au rendez-vous, effondrée. Je leur ai expliqué ma situation à cet instant présent et leur ai demandé : « Accordez-moi simplement 2 minutes et on commence ». Et je l’ai fait !

Une sorte de cocktail d’adrénaline et de force mentale a fait que j’ai pris sur moi pour assurer ce rendez-vous. Et puis comme je le disais, j’aurais bien assez le temps de reprendre mes problèmes là où je les avais laissés avant ce rendez-vous.

Bien évidemment j’ai appelé mon papa dont je suis très proche pour lui partager cette mauvaise nouvelle. On en a longuement échangé. Il s’est montré très rassurant et réconfortant (« Ne t’inquiète pas, ça va bien se passer, il faut d’abord attendre tous les résultats et après on agira, …») j’ai tout de suite su que je pourrai compter sur lui, qu’il serait présent à mes côtés, comme il a été présent pour ma maman. »

What was the first thing you did after the announcement?

"I left the appointment feeling completely overwhelmed, with lots of questions running through my mind. And yet, life goes on. That day, without knowing that I would be told I had cancer, I had planned a very important appointment that I couldn't miss. As crazy as it may seem, to others as well as to myself, I arrived at the appointment, devastated. I explained my situation to them at that moment and asked them, “Just give me two minutes and we'll get started”. And I did it!

A combination of adrenaline and mental strength enabled me to pull myself together and attend the appointment. And then, as I said, I would have plenty of time to deal with my problems again after the appointment.

Of course, I called my father, who I am very close to, to share the bad news with him. We talked about it at length. He was very reassuring and comforting (‘Don't worry, it'll be fine, we have to wait for all the results first and then we'll take action...’). I knew right away that I could count on him, that he would be there for me, just as he had been there for my mum."

The treatment

Can you tell us about your experience during your illness? How did you cope with the treatments?

"After the diagnosis, a biopsy was performed to confirm it, and the gynaecologist explained that before we could start the treatment protocol (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy), we would have to operate to remove the tumour. She explained that all decisions regarding my situation were made by a team of oncologists, not just one person.

The day of the operation arrived, and strangely enough, I felt quite calm. I think this was partly thanks to the complementary therapies I had undergone, such as sophrology and self-hypnosis, which allowed me to approach the operation and the disease in general with greater serenity. I should point out that these are parallel and complementary therapies and should in no way replace the treatment protocol prescribed by oncologists.

The operation went well. It was performed on an outpatient basis, so I was able to go home the same day. After analysing the tumour, my gynaecologist told me that everything looked good. The comprehensive analyses meant that my cancer was reclassified as easier to treat, with no complications and not as serious as initially thought after the biopsy.

However, I am still told that I will need to undergo a relatively intensive treatment programme: fairly heavy chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy and hormone therapy over a period of five years.

At that moment, I reacted strongly and told my doctor: "In any case, I have no choice, we have to go ahead. If I understand correctly, it's die or walk, and I've decided to run. "

The chemotherapy went well, and I followed my treatments with a great deal of resilience. Being a very positive person by nature, I stayed the course, met some wonderful other patients, and the doctors confirmed that the treatment was working. It's important to note that recovery time and the side effects of chemotherapy vary greatly from person to person. For my part, I had incredible energy, but above all, I was very envied because I didn't lose my hair.

Once the chemotherapy is finished, I move on to radiotherapy and have regular check-ups, which are going well. At the end of the radiotherapy, my oncologist tells me that I am cured. However, I still have to undergo hormone therapy for five years, which is an unavoidable and essential treatment to prevent recurrence."

What role did the medical teams play in supporting you?

The staff in the hospital's oncology department, including the doctors, nurses and nursing assistants, are exceptional. They are deeply kind and genuinely caring. When I visit the oncology department for my various treatments, I always have a smile on my face, I respect their work, and I am learning patience. Patience is a golden path... I'll leave you to ponder this proverb and search for its meaning...

During my last visit as part of my treatment protocol, I went to see the oncology care team again and expressed my deep gratitude to them. I thanked them for their kindness, their compassion and their extraordinary work.

I brought them 1kg of chocolate as a thank you! Yes, the whole team has a sweet tooth!

Everyone was very touched because few patients take the time to thank them for what they do. They are important players in our treatment protocol.

THANK YOU TO THEM! 

The support

How did your family, friends and colleagues support you?

"As part of a treatment protocol, there's the treatment itself, and then there's you! You, facing the illness, your character, your strength, and then there's your support person. It's the combination of everything that makes you come out stronger. Every piece of the puzzle is essential, and the person or people supporting you are extremely important.

In this context, my dad was wonderful as a supporter, first for my mum, and I received invaluable support from him. He was a pillar of strength. No! He is my pillar of strength!

I was lucky to have friends who were very present (I'm talking about REAL friends) who, just by being themselves, were a great comfort to us all.

Even if we think we are strong, there are moments of doubt, and that's when we all need a shoulder to lean on.

The companion, even though they are not the patient and are not undergoing treatment, still has to deal with the news, the appointments with the oncologist and the whole atmosphere surrounding the illness. What is really essential is to be surrounded by a caring and supportive circle of friends and family to find the strength to fight and move forward. I was fortunate enough to have that, and I am very grateful for it. THANK YOU to THEM!"

The work

How did you manage your professional life at the same time?

"As for work, it was immediately very clear in my mind that I didn't want to stop. Being self-employed, it's difficult to take time off: “No work, no income”. And that would have become quite complicated to manage over time.

Working was important to me. My job allowed me to maintain a certain rhythm in my life, to focus on work and not dwell on my situation. So when I found out about my cancer, I informed each of my clients of my situation. They expressed their support and understanding. This gave me the freedom to organise myself around my treatment schedule.

I organised my schedule to balance my professional life and my treatment. I arranged to have my chemotherapy injections at the end of the week, leaving me the weekends to rest. And on Mondays, I was ready to work.

I was lucky enough to tolerate my treatments well, without any setbacks. I realise how lucky I am!

After the treatment

Have you experienced a before/after in your outlook on life?

"To be perfectly honest, I haven't felt any change in my attitude or state of mind. I think I already had that strength within me. I'm a very positive person, and I believe that every problem has a solution (you just have to find it). My mum taught me and often reminded me of this phrase, which still resonates with me:

'You have the right to kneel on one knee, my daughter, but never on both! "

My strength has always been within me, but it has also come from my family and my upbringing. I have always been cherished by my parents. I have never seen my glass as half empty; it is always full. And that too has been a driving force in every stage of my life. "

The last word?

"I would say that prevention is extremely important, regardless of age, and that regular check-ups are essential. If you find yourself in a family environment where there is a predisposition to cancer, you need to have even more regular check-ups to make sure nothing is overlooked. That's what happened to me, and it's thanks to an annual check-up that the story had a happy ending, because the cancer was detected in time.

Finally, I'd like to quote a phrase that I particularly like: “Nothing is impossible without you”. You have to believe in yourself and fight, and that works for absolutely everything in life."

---

A huge thank you for this inspiring testimony, filled with strength, positivity and courage in the face of illness.

May these words pay tribute to all those who have been taken by the disease, salute those who are still fighting, and congratulate the survivors who have faced breast cancer with extraordinary determination. All deserve our deepest respect for the relentless battle they are fighting or have fought.

This testimony reminds us of one obvious fact: the fight must continue.

May medical research continue to advance so that we can cure our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, friends, colleagues and partners.

And may hope, strength, sisterhood and solidarity accompany every woman on this journey, because the fight against breast cancer is not limited to Pink October: it is lived every day, all year round.