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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If there’s one thing no mother wants to share with her daughter, it’s breast cancer. However, it’s the unimaginable reality for Doreen and Kristine Dustin, mother-daughter survivors who turned their adversity into a life-long mission to support breast cancer research.
The Dustin’s journey began in October 2005 when Doreen was diagnosed with ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer at 47. “I was shocked and it was hard to process. But I did what my doctors told me, and moved forward,” she remembers.
Things moved quickly after her diagnosis, with Doreen undergoing a lumpectomy followed by six months of intense treatments. Her recovery faded into the past and life continued happily, until the unthinkable happened, and her daughter Kristine was diagnosed in August 2018, at just 33 years old with ER PR+, HER 2-negative breast cancer. Although a crushing blow to the family, they banded together for Kristine as she learned more about her diagnosis and treatment.
“I had symptoms in one breast, but further screening showed DCIS (Stage 0 breast cancer, cells that will turn cancerous) and eventually they found tumours in both sides” Kristine explains. “So with my mom’s history, a bilateral mastectomy was an easy decision for me. Genetic testing gave me confirmation that I made the right choice.”
Because of their shared diagnosis, Kristine qualified for a full panel of genetic testing – something that didn’t exist in 2005 when Doreen was diagnosed, but thanks to research, is now available.
It was at their genetics testing appointment when Doreen shared more devastating news; her breast cancer had returned, this time ER PR+, HER2-positive. Kristine, while trying to lighten the mood, managed to joke through her tears, “you couldn’t let me have this on my own, could you mom?”
So while Kristine was following in her mom’s unwanted footsteps of aggressive breast cancer treatment including chemotherapy, 12 rounds of Taxol and radiation, Doreen was preparing for a double mastectomy.
Throughout their incredibly tough journeys Doreen and Kristine still, above everything else, are optimistic. “It’s why we give to research in our “Harness the Hope” fundraising – I’m so hopeful it’ll come to an end. Where people can get detected at such an early age that women won’t have to go through any of this.” Doreen says confidently.
And with your donations, we can help researchers continue to make incredible progress in this fight, like genetic testing, mammography, pivotal drugs, targeted treatments and early detection methods that wouldn’t exist without it, so please, donate generously.
The more we know, the sooner we can end it.
“When I started treatment, I was the youngest person in the room… Now, that’s not really the case.”
The most important thing was living every day to the fullest – and the memories.
“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.”
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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