Genevieve's Story: Dealing With Breast Cancer Half of My Life

I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987. While showering I had detected a small hard lump at the outer side of my right breast. I was living in England at that time and my local doctor examined the lump and noticed also a slight swelling in my right armpit.

He referred me to a colleague who I discovered was a general surgeon. Fortunately I had private medical insurance and so I was able to have a consultation with a well-respected specialist in breast cancer surgery at a renowned London hospital.

This surgeon removed a portion of the lump for a biopsy. He also arranged for blood tests and a nuclear scan. My surgeon was extremely caring and carefully explained the results of my tests. He explained that he would perform a second surgery, known as a lumpectomy where he would remove the entire tumour and also remove lymph nodes from my armpit.

He was considerate and understanding when I told him that if at all possible, I would prefer not to have my entire breast removed. After this second operation the surgeon told me he had been able to preserve the shape of my right breast. Using a tangerine as an example he described how removing a "segment" had not really changed the shape, but had slightly reduced the size.

He informed me that the biopsy had revealed an aggressive form of cancer but the tumour had been non-hormone receptive. I was then aged 40 and pre-menopausal so he did not prescribe any hormone treatment, however I would need a course of radiation and then chemotherapy.

A physiotherapist showed me how to do exercises to restore the flexibility of my right arm, as the tendons had become very tight and stiff. I needed to be able to lift my arm and place my hand on top of my head before the radiation could begin.

The treatment wasn't really frightening but my right breast developed a deep tan colour! After each weekly morning radiation session I found I had little energy the rest of the day. I didn't have much appetite either but got through a lot of books.

Six weeks later, just in time for my birthday in June, I started having monthly chemotherapy treatments. I had blood tests a couple of days before each session and after the chemo infusion I was really nauseous. Fortunately my medical insurance provided a day-room at the hospital where I could recover before making the journey home.

I had my long hair cut short, in preparation for hair loss but actually it only thinned a very little. At Christmas I had a special "gift" when my oncologist announced that my tests were good so I could finish the chemotherapy.

I visited the cancer hospital every three months for regular check-up and scans and become very fond of my wonderful surgeon who remained cheerful and optimistic. After three years my check-ups were just twice yearly and after five years I was declared "in remission" and I remained so for thirty years.

I had mammograms every three years and in 2006 and aged 60, I retired to live in a lovely village in northern France. Being now a pensioner, I could not afford a private healthcare plan, but my British National Health cover was transferred to the French government system. My history of breast cancer was noted as an ALD ["Affection de Longue Durée" or "long-term illness"] so was covered 100% by state medical insurance for any further breast cancer treatments.

I continued to have regular mammograms in France and these were all clear until 2017 when the radiographer noticed problems, once again in my right breast. I was referred to the women's clinic in my local town and had several different scans which revealed a new tumor. I was given the option of surgery at the local hospital but it had no specialist cancer department.

I chose instead to go to a hospital in a much larger city an hour's drive from my home, as this had an adjoining new cancer clinic.

After further scans I was told I would need this time to have my entire right breast removed. I asked if I was a suitable candidate for skin-saving surgery as I hoped to perhaps have an implant. One of the cancer team members, a woman surgeon, did sometimes work alongside a plastic surgeon. After a consultation with this surgeon he told me that instead of an implant he would recommend a dorsal-flap breast reconstruction. This used a muscle from my back which was brought round and attached to my chest wall. He said this muscle would form a small breast mound and provide a pleasing and natural looking "cleavage" and he assured me there would be no visible scars above the breast.

Both surgeons performed the combined surgery just before Christmas 2017. I had a check-up with the cancer surgeon in the new year and she told me that the tumor she had removed was hormone receptive. She prescribed an antiestrogenic (hormone blocker) called letrozole which had to be taken daily.

I also had a meeting with the plastic surgeon. My newly constructed right breast was small but had healed well and the surgeon said he would schedule me for liposuction, using my own body fat to plump up and reshape the breast.

He also arranged for me to have a nipple tattooed and it looked very natural.

A few months later the same surgeon told me he could perform surgery to reduce the size of my larger left breast and I had this done at the end of 2018. I had to buy and wear a special surgical bra to help the forming during healing.

2019 and 2020 were made difficult for all due to the COVID pandemic. I continued to have annual mammograms and echo-scans but was more concerned about the health of my husband who had fallen and broken his hip. In June 2021, he was confined to the hospital for three months before a tumor on his spine was diagnosed. It was a secondary as he had previously undiagnosed prostate cancer. I was allowed to bring him home where he peacefully passed away.

A month later I was due for a mammogram and echo-scan. I had been worrying for some time about some hard nodules in the lower part of my right breast. The radiographer who performed the echo-scan in November 2021 was also concerned and recommended I visit the surgeon who had removed the tumor in 2017. I had to wait a month for an appointment with the woman surgeon and after examining the nodules she dismissed my concerns, saying that it was definitely not a return of cancer.

I was still worried so asked the plastic surgeon for his opinion. He said the nodules were most likely to be hardened fat, which could sometimes form clumps after liposuction. I told him that these lumps were uncomfortable and asked if he would remove them. I had to wait three months for the operation, which he performed in his office! I had a local anaesthetic so was aware when he cut into me and tried to dislodge the nodules. I could see from his expression that they were not what he had expected to find. He took just a small piece for a biopsy and then stitched me up.

A week later I received a call from his office to attend a meeting with the surgeon the following day. As I had come to fear, the biopsy showed that the sample was cancer. He called the cancer surgeon at the clinic and I was given an urgent appointment to see her the following day.

The woman surgeon was rather shame-faced. She said that before she operated to remove the entire tumor she would need to see the results of a nuclear scan. Unfortunately the one at the clinic was out of commission, so it was six weeks before I had the scan and the surgery eventually took place at the end of March 2022. The nodules were removed and the surgeon visited my hospital bed that evening. She said I would remain for another two days as she had arranged for me to have another operation by a different surgeon the following morning.

An intravenous port was to be put in my chest — just below my collar bone. This was to enable me to have chemotherapy administered through the port and this treatment would begin as soon as the stitches had healed.

I attended the cancer clinic and had weekly infusions of Taxol over the next four months. The first session also included infusions of Perjeta and Herceptin and I had these two drugs every third week.

I stopped having Taxol at the end of August 2022 after the 15th dose as I was having CIPN (chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy). The tingling (pins and needles) sensation in my fingertips and toes had become acute and my toes were swollen and red. They actually felt disconnected, like stones in my shoes. By the end of August 2022, most of my hair had fallen out.

I continued with the three-weekly infusions of Perjeta and Herceptin and had seven doses of these drugs by infusion before the oncologist asked if I would switch to a combined dose called Phesgo which is given by injection under the skin. I willingly agreed as I was told this took only minutes instead of several hours through the intravenous port. I had my first Phesgo injection on 31 October 2022 and this week, 13 May 2025 I had my 44th injection.

The injection stings a bit but it depends on the skill and patience of the nurse. The needle is inserted and held level under the skin of my thigh, so I sit on a chair. I found that the nurses who sat on a comfortable low stool were more steady and less rushed than those who crouched and on occasion lost their balance!

After three years of chemotherapy I still have the CIPN and my toes continue to tingle but are are no longer swollen. I have not recovered from a loss of sensitivity in my fingertips and my fingernails are ragged as they chip and will not grow beyond the nail bed. I file them as smooth as I can and use hand conditioner.

Surprisingly my hair now seems thicker than it was before the chemo. It grew back like velvet pile around December 2022, so about four months after I stopped the Taxol drug. The new growth was curly at first and I found it easier to keep it short. After about six months it was growing in straighter and so I just had regular trims to maintain a good shape until the top hair grew longer. It's now a jaw length straight bob.

The various drugs I have been prescribed can have a bad effect on the heart so I've been having three monthly check-ups with a cardiologist. This doctor puts her notes addressed to my cancer doctor in a sealed envelope. She just says to me I should carry on with the treatment.

Another unfortunate side effect of the hormone blockers I have to take daily is to weaken the bone mass. I took letrozole for four years from 2018 and have been taking anastrozole for over three years. Last year I had a bone scan which showed that my bones have become more fragile. The osteo-specialist advised I have an injection of Aclasta [zoledronic acid], which should strengthen the bones, but the possible side effects put me off. I was then prescribed Actonel (risedronate) instead to take orally. The makers warning is that if you stop taking it, your bones can become even more fragile! I decided not to take it at all.

I had a nuclear scan pre-operation in April 2022 and have had subsequent PET scans every 3-4 months since then. I'm not too keen on the procedure but very happy that all the results have been clear. I am officially "in recession" once again.

I have spent practically half my life living with cancer and I am really thankful for each day. I feel more than fortunate to still be living a full and active life and shall be celebrating my 79th birthday next month. Thanks to my treatment I've been able to raise three fine sons and enjoy eight grandchildren.

I am extremely grateful to all the healthcare practitioners who have helped me both in England and France. I contribute monthly to CRUK [Cancer Research UK] as a token of thanks and I urge you to donate what you can to Breastcancer.org or your local organisations who are finding a way to combat cancer