Beth Marchant
“When I started treatment, I was the youngest person in the room… Now, that’s not really the case.”
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Meet Carmen from Calgary — a resilient mom of two whose perspective shifted in a profound way during her 50th year, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2023.
Turning 50 had already inspired reflection, but hearing the words “you have breast cancer” changed everything. Despite living an active, healthy lifestyle —running her first 10K and staying involved in her community — the diagnosis was overwhelming.
Nervous yet determined, Carmen approached her first oncology appointment with an open mind, focused on understanding her options and choosing the best path forward. The clarity and reassurance she received helped her decide on a double mastectomy, bringing a sense of calm amid uncertainty.
As surgery approached, doubts naturally surfaced. Wanting to honour her journey, Carmen organized a small photo shoot with close friends — an empowering moment that became one of her most meaningful decisions.
Committed to her treatment plan, Carmen returned to work, determined not to let cancer define her life. By establishing routines, celebrating milestones, and leaning on loved ones, she transformed difficult moments into shared strength. Recognizing the importance of self-care, she sought support from a psychosocial counsellor and embraced mindfulness, hobbies, and time with family to nurture both her physical and emotional well-being.
Today, Carmen continues her treatment journey, navigating changes due to infection and setbacks, while finding strength in knowing she is not alone. Staying positive and sharing her story has helped her move forward with determination — proving that even when treatment plans change, resilience, and support can carry you through each step.
“When I started treatment, I was the youngest person in the room… Now, that’s not really the case.”
“Progress means every woman — in every Canadian community — is seen, heard, and cared for”.
“With more research and more awareness, we can ensure fewer women are blindsided the way I was.”
Living Fully with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Canada donations fund life-saving research that directly impacts Canadian patients. That means better answers, bigger breakthroughs – and more personalized treatment for every breast cancer diagnosis.
Our suite of digital tools are each designed to help individuals better manage their breast cancer journey through education, research and personalized insights, while also elevating the patient voice.
Every breast cancer journey is unique, but together, these stories paint a powerful picture of progress. Through firsthand accounts from patients and survivors, we share stories that highlight the lived-experiences of breast cancer.
Progress happens when we invest in it. Canada is home to some of the world’s brightest minds in research. Together, we are advancing science, ensuring it leads to earlier detection, better treatments, and improved outcomes for patients across the country.
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