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 Jag Kaur Takhar—a resilient figure whose story shows the human spirit in the face of adversity.
As a multilingual realtor navigating the intricacies of life, Jag’s journey took an unexpected turn when confronted with a diagnosis that would redefine her existence: breast cancer.
At the young age of 37, Jag’s diagnosis did not begin with routine screenings, but with physical symptoms showing — one of her nipples began hanging down, and started to leak. Her journey towards diagnosis was fraught with obstacles as her concerns were met with skepticism by her family physician, forcing her to advocate for the screening that would ultimately unveil a harsh reality.
In 2017, the verdict was delivered — stage 2 hormone positive breast cancer. With no familial history of the disease to guide her, Jag stood alone. After weathering the loss of her husband in 2012, her two boys, aged 8 and 12 at the time, became her anchors.
Completing eight rounds of chemotherapy by February 2018, Jag went into surgery for a left mastectomy in March, followed by 25 rounds of radiation and hormonal therapy. Jag would next begin her five year journey on Tamoxifen.
Research has shown us that hormone therapy reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence in people with early-stage hormone-sensitive breast cancers. It also can effectively reduce the risk of metastatic breast cancer growth and progression in people with hormone-sensitive cancers.
Tamoxifen works by blocking the oestrogen receptors. It stops oestrogen from telling the cancer cells to grow. As Tamoxifen blocks the effects of oestrogen, the aim is to stop breast cancers from developing.
Jag’s resilience is commendable. Drawing strength from the unexpected outpouring of support from her community including her neighbours, friends, and even strangers that she met along her journey of healing.
Navigating the corridors of treatment and recovery, Jag’s story was marked not only by physical trials but also by profound moments of personal growth. Channeling her experiences into meaningful narrative, Jag penned a book that illuminated the path for others experiencing similar journeys. Her book is a testament to the power of vulnerability and unwavering determination.
Today, Jag stands as a survivor who has become an inspiration for countless others. Empowered by her journey, she remains steadfast in her mission to raise awareness, support patients, and foster a community of solidarity for survivors.
Jag is reminding you to advocate for yourself if you notice changes in your breast health.
Prioritize regular self exams, be open with your doctor at annual check-ups and take the time to book your routine mammogram screenings.
“It’s your body. Listen to it when it’s telling you something.”
Research funded by Breast Cancer Canada focuses on improving techniques for breast cancer screening and detection. If you don’t think it will make a difference, we have the science to prove it does.
“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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