Liz O'Riordan loved her career as a breast cancer surgeon. But her job - and life - was hugely impacted when she herself had a breast cancer diagnosis.
The first time I saw someone being told they had breast cancer, I saw myself
When Liz was working as a breast cancer surgeon, she loved the artistry and technical aspects of her job. She also cherished the role she played for the women she operated on - she could be a source of hope and comfort. And she could give them back something they felt had been taken away through breast cancer.
In 2015, at the age of 40, she received a diagnosis of her own. Having seen so many other people through diagnosis and treatment, she was terrified of what was to come.
After going through nine months of treatment and needing to take time off work to recover, she tried to return to her former role. Unfortunately, her experience meant she could no longer do her job. Instead, she now uses her experience in her new role as an author, storyteller and speaker to educate others on breast cancer and how it affects people.
You can listen to her story via the link below.
We need to help people understand what is happening to them, how to interpret what the doctor is telling you, and how to live after this.
Liz
Everyone’s experience is unique to them. This podcast contains the personal story and experience of the speaker, rather than that of Breast Cancer Now.
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