Here's what I didn't know before my own diagnosis”

“Having accompanied thousands of patients through their breast cancer diagnosis had prepared me for many things… or at least that's what I thought.” These words, spoken by Dr. Catherine Sue Hwang, oncologist and section head of breast radiotherapy at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute in Orlando, United States, resonate as a striking reminder: no one (and not even doctors) is safe from disease. This mother told her story to HuffPost.

Everything changes in 2024, when she goes to carry out her annual mammogram. At that moment, nothing yet suggested the total upheaval that awaited him. In good health, without visible symptoms, and quite knowledgeable about everything related to cancer, this single mother of three children sees only a simple formality in this routine examination. But the addition of an ultrasound raises a first alert. Then, the verdict falls: “You have at least five suspicious masses in the right breast and one abnormal lymph node”we tell him.

As an oncologist, being diagnosed with cancer came as a shock

Despite her experience, the new terrace Dr. Catherine Sue Hwang. She, who thought that regular mammograms were enough to detect cancer at an early stage, discovers an advanced disease. No time to ask questions, we must act. She then underwent bilateral mastectomies, chemotherapy, hormonal treatments and major surgical interventions. “Knowledge is a weapon, but it can also be terrifying.”she admits.

Faced with this ordeal, she chose to seek a second opinion from the prestigious Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Even if the recommendations confirm the initial treatment plan, the oncologist understands above all that she needs to be reassured by a neutral voice. This consultation allows her to ask questions that she did not dare to ask and to better understand the issues of her treatment.. She receives the support of an outside perspective, which calms her doubts and gives her confidence in the face of uncertainty.

“I finally understood why some patients refused effective treatments”

Cancer disrupts one's perception of everyday life. Prioritizations change: piles of laundry can wait, but not time spent with your children. Returning to work, two weeks after mastectomies, is vital for one's mental balance, although emotionally taxing.

Among the many side effects, hair loss proves more devastating than losing one's breasts. “I finally understood why some patients refused effective treatments just to preserve their hair,” she confides. She admits to having judged these choices before, but her own experience gave her a new empathy.

Cancer: an ordeal that transformed his outlook on his profession

The suppression of the ovaries, necessary to limit the production of estrogen, plunges her into early menopause. Insomnia, hot flashes, joint pain, anxiety: the symptoms are both physical and psychological. Managing your weight becomes a challenge, despite a healthy lifestyle. She adapts her approach, opting for a diet rich in fiber and protein, while reducing refined sugars and ultra-processed foods. She also opts for the integration of resistance exercises to preserve her muscle mass.

In short, this daily ordeal transforms his outlook on his profession. Recognizing the limitations of the advice she used to give to her patients, she redoubled her efforts to offer personalized support. “Treating illness is one thing. Taking care of the human being who suffers it is another.she believes in hindsight. Today, Dr. Hwang shares her story to demystify cancer and break taboos. Her experience, although painful, allowed her to become a more attentive doctor and to strengthen her dedication to her patients.

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Rights of women and children, violence, feminism, gender, discrimination, parenthood, education, money, work, psychology, health, couple, sexuality, social networks…. Joséphine loves deciphering all the social issues that drive…