Interview with Floriane, 35 years old, determined to prevent lymphedema

Floriane is 35 years old. Three years ago, when her two children were aged just 3 and 5, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Having undergone numerous surgeries, today the young woman grabs every chance she gets to take up new sports challenges, particularly to help prevent the development of lymphedema.

How was your cancer first discovered? 

I found out I had breast cancer in May 2016. I had been getting myself checked since the age of 30 despite having no history of the disease. One day, my nipple started bleeding. And it was there that they found the biggest mass. Due to the size of the tumor, I had a mastectomy followed by 8 chemotherapy cycles to prevent it recurring.  After that, there was a lot of physical and mental reconstruction work to be done, which took a long time. The whole of 2018 was spent reconstructing my breast since I underwent 5 operations. Today, I am very pleased with the result. It really is a renewal, a new chapter. For me, it was important to regain what I had lost.

What was your experience of the illness?  

Strangely, the cancer triggered a positive effect in my life. It made me realize lots of things. I had a change of career direction, since I worked in the car industry before. Now I want to move into a social, people-oriented role.  The disease also makes us aware of our own physical vulnerability. Before, I thought I was invincible. I had my job, my children, my daily routines… But through breast cancer I learned lots of things; in particular that you need to do what you want and avoid stressing about pointless things.

How has sport become particularly important to you?  

Now I am constantly setting myself new challenges, especially sporting ones. This year, I took part in the Aïcha des gazelles women-only rally in Morocco in aid of an association that helped me following my cancer. Without the illness, I don’t think I would have done it, not straight away anyway. It wouldn’t have been so clear to me. For me, it was a way of telling women: “we’ve been through a lot, but see, it’s possible to make your dreams come true”. This challenge helped me stay very active while I was signed off sick from work. It’s not easy to be seen as a sick person by society.

What types of sport do you enjoy?  

I really like team sports in which there is enthusiasm but also tolerance. We understand one other, we make each other feel good and we have fun together, because an activity is not only physical, it is also mental. Illness, just like wellness, is closely linked to the mind. I understand that much better now.

What about your risk of lymphedema?  

Very fortunately, until now I haven’t suffered from lymphedema despite my many operations. I have no signs in my arms and that’s pretty extraordinary. For me, the absence of edema helps me forget that I was ever affected by the disease, and by continuing to enjoy sport and exercise regularly, I hope that will always be the case.

If you have any questions, ask your doctor for advice.