While relaxing on a beach in the Dominican Republic in early 2023, Amélie Fahey was surprised to feel a lump in her breast as she applied sunscreen. She wasted no time seeing a doctor and was soon diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive and hard-to-treat types of breast cancer.
Amélie was stunned. At 36, there was no reason to think she could ever be affected by such a serious disease.
A lawyer and a corporate senior director of legal affairs, Amélie had been leading a very active professional and personal life. Having just accepted her boyfriend’s marriage proposal, the vows she would take – “I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, and will love and honour you all the days of my life” – suddenly felt very real and would be put to the test right away.
Information: A powerful tool for Amélie and her family
While Amélie trusted her doctors with her treatments, she needed to understand her disease and its symptoms and learned a lot from the Canadian Cancer Society’s website.
"It felt like I got a mini master's degree in triple- negative breast cancer. I found clear and helpful answers to my most pressing questions. It was an invaluable resource.”
Thanks to the information she gathered, Amélie also found moral support, which made her feel more prepared to cope with her treatments.
She was fortunate to have a family that stood by her throughout the process. Her parents and sister got information from the Canadian Cancer Society’s Cancer Information Helpline, which helped them find the best way to support her.
"They wanted to be there for me in the best possible way, and the helpline also allowed them to be heard and to express their emotions.”
Recognizing her own strength
Going through all the stages of her diagnosis and treatments made Amélie recognize her strength, resilience and above all, her desire to live a better life. The ordeal also taught Amélie the importance of living in the moment, taking care of herself by improving her lifestyle habits, and of letting go because she clearly couldn’t control everything that life was throwing at her.
“The old Amélie birthed a new Amélie. And now, for the first time in my life, I’m truly happy, I’m kinder to myself and I’m proud of myself. I feel stronger today because I know what I am capable of.”
Early detection means early intervention
Amélie wants young women to be more aware of the importance of knowing their breasts so they can recognize what’s normal, and to know they can get a screening exam if they have any doubts. She also hopes that research into triple-negative breast cancer will progress, and that anyone affected by it can receive timely care and the appropriate treatment.
“I’d like to see screening exams more readily accessible to women under 50, a group that has seen an increase in breast cancer cases, because early detection can make all the difference. Regular monitoring is the only way to stop tumours from spreading.”
When it comes to cancer, timing makes a difference. Getting diagnosed and treated quickly is important.
“Feeling that lump was a wake-up call and reminded me of the importance of breast self-examination. It’s a simple thing that can make a big difference in detecting cancer early.”
Amélie's latest tests show no traces of cancer. Now more fulfilling and happier than ever, her life is back on track and the devoted man who weathered the storm with her is still at her side.
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