Support for Anglophones affected by Cancer in France
Cancer Support France (CSF) is a charity that offers personalized support to English-speaking people in France touched by cancer by providing practical, emotional and linguistic support to patients and their families. Our aim is to help them to navigate the French healthcare system from diagnosis through every phase of their journey. Our volunteer team of “Active Listeners” are bilingual and trained to provide empowering support via phone, video call or in person, all free of charge and confidential.
Let’s meet one of the volunteers of Cancer Support France, Kate Ogden.
Q) Hi Kate, can you tell us a little about yourself?
I have strong roots in England but I’ve been a resident in France for over 20 years. I work in the humanitarian field as a nutritionist and had been working internationally in Paris before transferring to Rome.
Q) What’s your relationship with cancer?
Ten years ago, while my work in Rome was in full swing, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was uprooted in two days and returned to Paris for treatment. The diagnosis and journey into the unknown started on a Tuesday in June and I didn’t know where that would take me. I was naïve thinking that I could still work and undergo treatment – I did not feel unwell, but suffered from the shock of the diagnosis – perhaps I was in denial. The next year of treatments was far from easy. Sometimes it felt like a rollercoaster and at other times like a slow train chugging through a tunnel. It certainly changed me and my filter on life. During this time, I sought those who had been through similar experiences, as they are the only ones who truly understand you, and now I lend this experience to others in return.
Q) What support did you have? Were you aware of Cancer Support France during your treatment?
I had treatment at a brilliant hospital which also offered support services. Initially, I focused on the medical side but came to realise that emotional and psychosocial support was also key to survival and recovery. I was not aware of CSF at the time, but was lucky to have access to several support services (sport, nutrition, yoga, reflexology, wellbeing sessions), all in French. I missed communicating in my native language, English. It was like learning to ski in a foreign language – you’re suddenly faced with a whole new vocabulary. Fortunately, my partner is French and we could debrief after appointments, but sometimes I was on my own. I decided to subscribe to an online cancer support group in the UK just so that I could exchange in English. Had I known about CSF, it would have been a channel I could have called upon .
Q) What advice would you give to someone who is going through a diagnosis or treatment in France today?
Don’t go through this alone. Everyone is different and has different needs. Beyond the priority medical aspects, share your worries, concerns, vulnerabilities on any subject – practical, emotional, financial. You may have your family in a different country and feel isolated. Let yourself be wrapped in a warm loving hug – this is a tough time and there are plenty who can help you navigate the system, help you with language, offer a listening ear. CSF can do just that.
Q) Is there anything else you’d like to share?
The cancer club is not one you want to be a member of, but I have met some wonderful ‘cancer colleagues’ who have remained friends. I sadly lost my mum to cancer two years after my recovery and appreciated the psychological support I received. What I didn’t know was just how much this network of support would help me through some dark times. And now I’m very thankful that the sky is bright again!
Pictured: Some of Cancer Support France’s members and volunteers at the Course des Lumières in Paris in November 2023, Kate Ogden is furthest right.
How to reach us at Cancer Support France
If you are affected by cancer and are seeking support, you can:
- Call our national hotline: 0800 240 200
- Email us: helpline@cancersupportfrance.org
- Visit our website: cancersupportfrance.org
You will receive a response within 24 hours.
If you’d like to get involved:
- To find out more about volunteering with us, reach out to our President of CSF Paris Ile-de-France, Guy Rodwell: paris-idf-president@cancersupportfrance.org
If you’d like to support our mission by making a donation:
- Follow the Paypal link at the bottom of our page: https://paris.cancersupportfrance.org/paris-home
Article compiled by Katie Syrimis, Outreach Coordinator – CSF Paris Ile-de-France and Rick Sherfey, Communications Lead – CSF Paris Ile-de-France.