Testimonials from women facing breast cancer

Oct 28, 2025

By Endro Cosmétiques

Témoignages de femmes face au cancer du sein - Endro Cosmetiques

Courage and resilience in women: testimonials from our clients facing breast cancer

At Endro, we wanted to give a voice to those who are living with or have lived with breast cancer. Beyond the numbers and statistics, there are unique stories, journeys marked by courage, resilience, and hope. Through this series of portraits, we highlight these inspiring women who sincerely share their experiences, their doubts, their victories, and their learnings.

We had the honor of interviewing Anaïs Quemener, a marathon champion, whose determination and courage in the face of illness are a true model. Her testimony perfectly illustrates how essential it is to speak, listen, and support those going through this ordeal.

In this series, each story reflects universal strengths:

Family and friendly support, which often forms an essential pillar in the most difficult moments.
Trust in medical teams, essential for progressing step by step.
Resilience and inner strength, which allow transforming pain into energy and hope.
The will to raise awareness and support, through sharing experiences and associative commitment.

Chantal Gautier

"My journey with breast cancer was difficult, but I could count on the invaluable support of my surgeon and oncologist, who were by my side every step of the way. The most challenging moments were hair loss and the intense fatigue that accompanied me daily. Fortunately, my family was always there to support me, and the specific care I received helped me a lot through this period.
Today, I am in remission, although I still have regular check-ups, which remains a source of stress. What helped me the most was the support of my loved ones and my will to overcome this disease.
I want to share my testimony publicly to inspire and support others."

Magalie Lanoe

"My mother went through two breast cancers, twenty years apart, but fortunately, the treatments were effective, and she recovered well. This experience made me aware of the importance of screening, and I now have my check-ups regularly.
For me, morale and optimism have always been paramount in facing this ordeal. What I learned is that it is essential to stay positive and take care of oneself, even in difficult times.
I want to share my testimony publicly to encourage and support others in similar situations."

Lucie Rupert

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 40, during my first routine mammogram. This was followed by a very heavy year of treatments, then five years of hormone therapy. The most difficult moments were hair loss, the first chemo, and all the medical examinations. Fortunately, I could count on the unwavering support of my family and my friends, who were a real pillar throughout this journey.
Today, I am doing very well and have chosen to use my experience to help others. With my friends, we created the association LES AGATES ROSES, whose mission is to support women affected by breast cancer. We offer them activities like pilates, yoga, or Nordic walking, and we provide them with a well-being pouch at the beginning of their journey containing a book, tea, and adapted cosmetic products. We will soon organize our first well-being weekend in Port Blanc. We would be delighted to include products from the Endro brand, which I have been using for several years and cannot do without, in these pouches.
My message for all women is simple: practice self-palpation every month, have an annual appointment with a professional, and never forget that a single image can change everything. Get screened and take care of yourselves."

Anonymous testimony

"My older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. The news of her illness was the worst thing I had ever heard in my life. She had to undergo surgery, then radiotherapy. Since then, everything has been fine: the cancer has disappeared, and she is regularly monitored.
The most difficult moments were seeing her condition and her reaction to her loved ones. She no longer wanted to see anyone, stopped answering the phone, and rejected our faces, filled with sadness. Fortunately, family support was constant, and today all that is behind us. Nevertheless, I was so afraid of losing her."

Pascale Pinguet

"14 years ago, I faced my first breast cancer, followed by reconstruction. In 2022, I unfortunately had a recurrence with bone metastases, which involved a new treatment and all its accompanying side effects. Today, I am in remission, but I know that complete healing doesn't really exist: we are never completely cured. Despite this, life goes on, and I try to enjoy it as much as possible.
The most difficult moments have been these recurrences that happen without warning. Fortunately, I could count on the unwavering support of my family. What helps me most in this ordeal is always staying positive and, above all, not being alone."

Patriciat Boulignat

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2020. I first underwent a lumpectomy and radiotherapy, but during treatment, I was also diagnosed with digestive cancer. In 2023, I had to have a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction, following the discovery of a BRCA1 genetic mutation.
The most difficult moments were the waiting, the diagnostic announcements, and the very peculiar period of Covid. The announcement of my cancer was a shock, and it was particularly complicated to share it with my mother and daughter. Fortunately, I was very well supported by the medical teams, my husband, my friends, and even the taxi drivers who transported me. The Ligue contre le Cancer also supported me despite the reduction in activities during the pandemic. I benefited from socio-aesthetic care and several consultations with a psychologist, which helped me a lot through this period.
It took me time to accept the bilateral mastectomy to minimize the risk of recurrence. And it was during my radiotherapy sessions that I first heard about Endro, asking my radiotherapist what deodorant I could use.
Today, I enjoy the present moment more. Anxiety and mood swings are still present, but what helps me most is getting as much help as possible, being surrounded, and contacting associations."

Yasmine Mebarki

"Diagnosed with breast cancer at 47, now at 60 I approach life calmly with a benevolent outlook around me, life is beautiful and I savor every moment. 'What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.'"

Marie Amélie Maury

"During cancer, good medical follow-up and medical trust are very important. Family and friends' support is very valuable. You must listen to your body: if you are not hungry because of the treatments, do not force yourself, it will come back with time. Eat only what you want, maintain a positive morale, ask all necessary questions without hesitation. During remission, I am happy because I beat this nasty disease (3 nodules) which lasted 14 months for me. Now I am physically recovering and thinking about my reconstruction. Courage and strength to all."

Hélène Peronnet

"Breast cancer detected in October 2019. A sudden announcement by the radiologist with the feeling of being disconnected from reality. A world collapsing... tears then trust in the medical team of ICO Paul Papin in Angers. A first local operation then fertility preservation and on December 31, 2019, the first chemo... 6 months of heavy treatment... hair loss COVID... a complicated period where the presence of my wife allowed me to hold on and move forward. A real fight. Then 5 weeks of radiation and finally in August 2020 an operation with ablation and immediate reconstruction with a breast implant... hormone therapy for 10 years with more or less effects... the fear of relapse always present the stress of control examinations... but it's been 5 years and life goes on... a little different from before

No longer being able to control my body, that it didn't follow what I wanted to do because moving from bed to sofa was already a big effort... The chemotherapies with nausea. The fact that despite all their kindness, people outside the household cannot understand and you feel alone and misunderstood sometimes

I feel lucky to have made it through. Proud of the journey but terrified at the idea of going through it again... The impression sometimes that it didn't exist, that it wasn't me but someone else... and at the same time, the impression of never finding the person I was before: especially physically and having difficulty accepting it

That despite all the compassion and effort, as long as you don't experience it, unfortunately, you can't understand or imagine. That you have to be present but accept that as a patient you don't want to or don't have the strength to see people. Don't highlight your pain of seeing us like that, even to the person who shares the patient's daily life.

The announcement of breast cancer at 35 was like a sledgehammer... a difficult announcement to live with, tears... then a fight with full confidence in the medical profession. The period of chemotherapy when you are young and they are very strong... was the most difficult... wanting to do things but your body not following is difficult... realizing that despite all the kindness of the people around... as long as you don't experience it, you can't imagine or understand what the patient and the person who shares their life are going through. Breast removal even with immediate reconstruction is like an amputation... a part of the body is removed and it will never be the same again. Hormone therapy can be difficult to live with but every day I tell myself that it prevents a relapse and that I will hold out for 10 years of treatment! The hardest part is the fear of relapse, present in the background or sometimes strongly... Life after will never be the same as before... but it is not worse, just different..."

Emilie Camborde

"If I'm sharing my story today, it's primarily to raise awareness. Because many of us think it only happens to others, ignore certain signs, or postpone a medical appointment due to lack of time. We tell ourselves we'll see later, that there's no reason to worry... until the day everything changes. Last October, like every year, I made an appointment with my midwife for a check-up. During the palpation, she felt nothing abnormal. Nothing. But as she has every two years since I turned 40, she prescribed a mammogram and ultrasound. Without worry, I went for these exams on December 3rd, convinced everything was fine. And then, the radiologist had a doubt. She did a biopsy. A few days later, the result came back: negative. Relief, but short-lived; she preferred to investigate further and prescribed a second mammogram/ultrasound and biopsy, this time at the hospital. I had it on December 11th... and the diagnosis came: grade II invasive lobular carcinoma in the left breast 💔 When I heard those words, everything froze. I absolutely didn't expect it. It was a real shock. I was stunned, lost, overwhelmed by a mix of fear and incomprehension. How is this possible? Why me? What will happen now? Then, very quickly, everything escalated: MRI, new biopsy. Barely had time to assimilate the news before I was already plunged into a medical whirlwind. On December 26th, during my appointment with the gynecologist, I learned I was going to have surgery. On January 17th, the tumor was removed, and lymph nodes were biopsied. On February 17th, the results came back: no lymph node involvement, which meant I wouldn't need chemotherapy, but 15 sessions of radiotherapy and 5 years of hormone therapy awaited me. What's particular about lobular cancer is that it cannot be felt by palpation, neither by me nor by a healthcare professional. Unlike other breast cancers that form a visible lump, this one develops more discreetly, spreading within the breast. That's why it goes unnoticed... and is only detected through mammography. Despite everything, in this ordeal, I am lucky to be surrounded by my family and friends ✨ my Instagram friends 💕. Their presence, their support, their words are a real lifeline. Because even if it's a personal fight, knowing that you're not alone changes everything. 💪💖

In December, during a routine check-up, an abnormality was detected. After several examinations and biopsies, the diagnosis came: invasive lobular carcinoma of the left breast. The shock was immense. Everything moved quickly: MRI, new biopsies, then an operation in January to remove the tumor and take lymph node samples. In February, the results showed no lymph node involvement, which allowed me to avoid chemotherapy. I then underwent 15 sessions of radiotherapy and am now continuing hormone therapy for 5 years.

Among the significant moments of my journey, I remember above all the support of my loved ones and the medical team, who carried me through the darkest periods. Each milestone reached, such as the end of a treatment or a reassuring check-up, was also an important victory. These moments gave me the strength to keep moving forward. The most difficult moments were the announcement of the diagnosis, a real shock, but also the effects of the treatments and the physical changes they caused. Waiting for the results was particularly trying: those suspended days, filled with anxiety and uncertainty, seemed endless. In retrospect, even though these trials were very hard, they taught me to measure my inner strength and the importance of fully savoring every moment of life."