France’s Octobre Rose Saved My Life: Why You Should Get Checked

The Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, known as Octobre Rose in France, has potentially saved or at least extended my life (fingers crossed!), and maybe it could save yours too. Statistically, one in eight of us could be affected. Early treatment of Breast Cancer currently results in an average 90% cure rate at five years.

Here, I have decided to share my personal experiences with FrenchEntrée readers in the hope that it might just help someone. In 2022,1919 women were affected by breast cancer in the Poitou-Charente, and in 2025, I am now one of those women.

Although I publish a lot on social media for our family gîte business in La Grue, my private life is different, so this really is a leap of faith!

In the beautiful Charente, most villages have Octobre Rose displays each October. In Aigre, there was a ‘Flashmob’ dance this year in front of the Mairie. There are often sponsored walks, community games evenings, etc. I’m so grateful there are, as it’s essential to raise awareness and remind people to get checked out.

Getting a mammogram in France

The reality is, in the Charente, it can currently be a bit tricky to get an appointment for a mammogram. I had to be tenacious, and I am thankful I was. Appointments can be made through Doctolib, but it may be better, if you can, to present yourself in person to make an appointment if it is proving difficult to get a rendez-vous.

How To Use Doctolib in France: English-Speaking Doctors & Online Consultations

In France, seemingly, it is normal to have a mammogram followed by a breast examination and an ultrasound scan. We receive our results immediately here, but as I sat there, after my mammogram, waiting for the doctor to come for the ultrasound, it was taking too long. I felt my stomach flip: I just knew something wasn’t right.

I was called in for another mammogram on my right side and, at the risk of sounding clichéd, my head was swimming. I thought I might faint. I cannot remember what was said by the radiographer – she literally had to move me into position for the second scan.

Afterwards, in the adjoining room, I was calmer; it was all sinking in. The doctor showed me the tumour on the ultrasound screen, and she said that I needed a biopsy to confirm, but that she was 90% confident it was cancer. It was so small that it could not be felt by a breast examination, so the mammogram was essential to detecting it.

She brought me a cup of sugary black coffee and sat with me back in the waiting room. I could feel the mixture of concern, dread and relief of the other women that they weren’t in my shoes: I couldn’t make eye contact. I just focused on not crying; not in public. 

I am grateful to that doctor because her early, straight-talking helped me to prepare mentally. All the “well, it probably isn’t / you’ll be fine” comments were not helpful to me. 

I drove home, and we all decided to forget about it until the biopsy. There was nothing I could do apart from hold my family a little tighter.

We are fortunate in the Charente to have a good Breast Cancer clinic, and I have had great care. Although my French is good, my surgeon insisted on speaking in English. He said this news is too great and needs to be digested in my first language. Merci infiniment!

Get the support you need

If you need support on your Breast Cancer journey, Jeune et Rose is a dynamic charity which focuses, as the name suggests, on younger women’s needs. There is also la ligue contre le cancer in Charente and others.

The essential takeaway here is that the earlier your cancer is detected, the greater your survival rate. I urge you all to have your regular checks – do not postpone. Do your ‘dépistages!’

How To Get A Mammogram in France (for Free)

Lead photo credit : Pexels - October Rose Breast Check