But first, let us introduce you to five individuals from our company who wished to share their experience with the illness. These are stories full of heart and hope that show the importance of family and a strong support network. Because light and optimism are also present in life's difficult moments.

An emotional Patricia tells us how much this doctor influenced the way she took the news. “I can still see myself on the examination table when he told me. I remember how reassured I felt. He wasn't alarmist or pessimistic. He set the tone for what followed. I was convinced that everything was going to be okay.”

Her loved ones' reactions were different, and this is what she found to be difficult. “The people who love me dearly, my best friends, my colleagues, everyone burst into tears. I told them not to cry and that Dr. Loisel was confident that I was going to get through it. My husband is a strong person, but his mother died of breast cancer, so it wasn't easy for him. My children didn't tell me, but I felt that secretly, they were afraid.”

After the announcement, things happened quickly: operation, radiotherapy, and the start of hormone therapy—a pill to take every day for five years. Far from minimizing the diagnosis she received, Patricia is aware of her luck despite everything; it puts things in perspective.

“The day of my surgery, there were several of us in the waiting room and we were talking. A girl in her thirties had just had her second breast removed… In my case, I was able to keep my breast. It barely showed that I had an operation, just a mark. It's minimal. I often said to myself, ‘Keep quiet. Don't complain.'”

With her story, Patricia sincerely wishes to give hope to those living with the disease and their loved ones. “Hope inspires courage. We must believe in the future.” And early detection of the disease is key. “The earlier the cancer is discovered, the better the chances for survival. Girls, examen your breasts and have your annual mammogram. It's crucial.”

Patricia is adamant that her family's role in her recovery was paramount. The two months spent post-surgery were eye-opening for her. She now sees life differently. “My sister who lives in Spain came. My mother was there. My husband took off from work. My sons and their families were also there frequently as well. I felt very supported! Everyone was close to me. We spent a lot of time together. I learned to appreciate what I had more, to enjoy life. I was able to take my time. For someone like me who has been working like crazy for 25 years, it was a real luxury. Your outlook on life changes when you think you might not be here anymore…”

After reading a lot about breast cancer and its risk factors, Patricia has changed her lifestyle. She has eliminated things from her diet, she meditates, and she exercises. “I want to feel well and healthy. Because I kept both of my breasts, I know that the cancer can come back. I work out and make healthy choices, not only because I want to fit into my clothes, but also because I want to live!”

Being an undergraduate student in his final year of a health science degree, Grei wanted to continue his studies and his work in customer service at our Calgary store. “The whole Simons team was super accommodating. Being able to not stress about work really helped in taking care of my mom and having the time to be there to support her. That was a big help from my Simons family.” His friends were also by his side, offering him emotional support. They helped him stay strong. “I felt I wasn't alone and I found light. We were in it together—me, my mom, and my friends.”

These difficult months have taught Grei patience. “Going to chemo takes a lot of time. We could be at the hospital waiting for four hours. I would bring my books and notes to study and prepare for my Medical College Admission Test. I was using every bit of my time effectively to make sure that I wasn't missing anything or getting behind in my studies.”

Grei, who says he will likely go into dermatology or psychiatry, is determined and serious about his studies. “I wanted to go to med school before my mom got her diagnosis, and now, I got to see all the things behind the scenes. It was an eye-opening experience.”

Today, Grei's mom is doing very well. Her chemotherapy is over, and her hair is slowly growing in. “She goes on hikes every week. Of course, she's not up to her full strength but, with time, I'm sure she will get there.”

If Grei had only one message to pass on, it would be to never lose hope. “At times, it can be dark. It can be really emotional. It's important to always stay positive, even when the road is against you. If someone you love is going through treatments, just hold their hand and tell them it's going to be ok.”

The results concluded that the 67-year-old woman carried a mutation—a defect—in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, a well-known hereditary genetic condition that significantly increases the risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. “From that point on, they took me in their care.”

In June of 2023, they removed her female organs. Six months later, she underwent a double mastectomy and was fitted for prosthetic breasts. “When removing my breasts, the doctor found a nodule the size of a pencil tip. If I had waited, the tumour would have grown, and the cancer would have started.”

Given the invasive nature of the nodule, Liliane underwent preventative chemotherapy from January to May of 2024. Her daughter and daughter-in-law accompanied her at the hospital, so she had good company.

After the second treatment, her hair started to fall out. “Thanks to the Canadian Cancer Society, I have worn a wig for several months. My hairdresser modified it the way I like with a cut and highlights.”

Liliane is disarmingly calm and has an unshakeable will. “My husband took things harder than me. I knew what to expect. I never cried. I'm not so sad, I still have breasts, and hair—it grows back! Having everything removed was the right thing to do.”

Because Lynda regularly examined her breasts, she caught it in time. It can't be said enough: early detection is crucial. “My lymph nodes weren't affected. Despite everything, I was lucky. If I could have, I would have had my entire breast removed, not just the cancerous mass.”

Lynda experienced complications post-surgery that lasted a long time. If she was to do it all over again, she would have chosen to have a mastectomy, not only to avoid hospital visits, but also to feel more at ease. “I'm going to live with this for the rest of my life. It's always on my mind, especially in September when it's time for my mammogram.”

During this difficult period, Lynda was able to count on her family and friends. “I was spoiled! My husband and daughter were by my side, and I felt supported. My pets helped as well. My beagle could feel how I was feeling, and when I was sad and sitting on the couch, he would come and lay on me.”

Being an active person, Lynda also found joy through physical activity. “I couldn't run anymore because the radiotherapy left me exhausted. But I would go out and get fresh air. I walked, and even if it was difficult, it made me feel good.”

Today, Lynda is doing well. She's travelling and feels great. “I have a grandson now. All the love helps a lot!”

Jacques Simard is a tenured professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Université Laval and a researcher at the CHU de Québec Research Centre-Université Laval.

He has devoted his entire scientific career to improving breast cancer prevention, detection, and treatment by studying the genetic contribution to its development. He is a pioneer in the field, a dedicated and passionate person, and an inspiring leader.

For the past 25 years, he has led an international and interdisciplinary research team on genetic susceptibility to breast cancer to accelerate the knowledge transfer, integration, and implementation of their discoveries in the health care system.

He is the head researcher of PERSPECTIVE, a major international study that was launched over ten years ago. The study aims to develop a personalized approach to breast cancer screening based on each woman's individual risk. It is a large-scale project that will have concrete applications very soon.

The Breast Cancer Foundation saw the project's enormous potential and was the first to provide significant funding, which has been extremely influential. With every dollar invested by the Foundation, the team has been able to raise ten dollars from other funding organizations, ensuring the evolution and success of this visionary project that is already having a tangible impact in many countries.