GÉRALDINE DORMOY, AUTHOR OF 'UN CANCER PAS SI GRAVE'

Introduction – A few words about your journalism career, your favorite topics, your book, your current projects… A little bit about you!

My name is Géraldine Dormoy, I am a journalist and I am 43 years old. I published my first book on September 10th, Un cancer pas si grave, with Leduc.s editions, after having suffered from breast cancer myself. Today, I consider myself cured.

Where are your roots?

With my husband, Mark, my son Gustave (8 years old), my family and my friends.

Was journalism a calling for you?

Not at all. I came to it late, as I approached my thirties. I first attended a business school (Sup de Co Reims). It took me a while to allow myself to go after what I really wanted.

How would you describe the person you were before your cancer?

I was a very happy person in my life. I had already done significant introspective work, particularly thanks to psychoanalytic therapy followed for nearly 20 years. Despite this, I continued to encounter recurring problems: food compulsions and a complicated relationship with stress, especially at work.

How was your cancer detected? Did you practice self-palpation?

No, I didn't practice self-palpation, because I have a type of breast called "dense". This means that they are too firm to detect a lump, even for a doctor. So I relied on mammograms, recommended by my gynecologists from the age of 35, which I considered a mere formality. It was during one of these examinations, in November 2017, that atypical cells were spotted. A biopsy then confirmed their cancerous nature.

Do you consider your medical follow-up for cancer to be adequate?

I was very well taken care of. However, I quickly understood that my surgeon and oncologist, despite their excellence, could not provide comprehensive care. Complementary care was something I had to seek out myself — which suited me perfectly. It allowed me to feel actively involved in my recovery. I talked a lot with my psychiatrist, my micronutritionist, as well as with acupuncturists.

What are your tips for women regarding breast cancer prevention and screening?

I would say that everyone is free to get screened or not. But it is essential to keep in mind that the earlier a cancer is detected, the higher the chances of recovery. Medicine has made immense progress, but it doesn't work miracles. Cancer remains a serious and very deadly disease.

You have completely eradicated sugar from your diet. Why this choice?

It's a radical choice, in line with my personality. Since I have trouble stopping, I know it's better for me not to start. I live much better having forgotten the taste of sugar than constantly fighting cravings. Before, my body sent me clear signals (headaches, stomach aches, depressive tendencies), but willpower alone was not enough.

You have significantly increased your consumption of fruits and vegetables. Have you changed the way you cook?

I limit fried foods, which don't suit me. I sometimes use a Vitaliseur on weekends for gentle cooking, but overall, I don't cook much. I particularly eat frozen vegetables (Picard). It's not ideal — especially because of the plastic packaging — but I don't have the time or the desire to spend all my free time in the kitchen.

How did you implement this discipline?

It developed gradually, over the years. The illness then acted as an electric shock: preventing relapses is a very strong motivation. Yoga also helped me a lot to reconnect my body and mind. I learned to better understand my body's signals, especially digestive ones. I still eat fruit, but in moderate quantities.

Have you noticed any changes in your skin and vitality?

Yes. A month after stopping refined sugar, my skin was already different: less dry, plumper, as if replenished. Today, I also notice that I generally feel in better shape.

You practice Kundalini yoga. How did you discover it?

My friend Lili Barbery-Coulon introduced me to this practice. I took different classes, and then she started teaching herself. I had some resistance at first, but I'm glad I persevered. This yoga has become essential for me: it helps me feel aligned and connected to my intuition.

Has your vision of your body changed after cancer?

Yes, I am gentler with it. Above all, I understand it better, which helps me to be less resentful when it doesn't react as I would like.

What kind of person are you today?

I am a being in motion, constantly changing… which makes the answer difficult. I leave it to others to answer that.