Photo: Getty Images
The torches in a storm "Star
The terrible news reached "Torches in the Storm" star Lesley-Anne Down in January 2009: Breast Cancer! A shock to the 56-year-old today. We talked to her about the disease.
The new paper: How are you doing now? Lesley-Anne Down: Good. I get checked every six months, but everything is under control. Did you take precautions on a regular basis? Lesley-Anne Down: Yes, just as each of us should do from the age of 40, I went there on a regular basis. One day they found something anyway. Is cancer in your family? Lesley-Anne Down: No, not at all. How did you hear about your diagnosis? Lesley-Anne Down: It was awful, but I wanted to know exactly what was going on in me. I was shooting "Reich & Schön" and knew that something was found in the precautionary investigation. I then wanted to know the exact result and called my doctor. So I found out on the phone. Still, I was lucky: The cancer had not spread yet.
They quickly decided to have their breasts removed. That must have been a hard step! Lesley-Anne Down: Not really. I will not let the cancer destroy my life! I was most afraid of chemo. Fortunately, the tumor was discovered at an early stage. I had thought for years about getting my breasts removed as a precaution. It is no longer uncommon for women to do this. Even during the operation, new breasts were formed. Lesley-Anne-Down: I did not want any changes, my son (George is 12, note) should not notice anything. Did you seek psychological help after the cancer shock? Lesley-Anne Down: No. It was just my time to deal with something like this in my life. I think it's an attitude thing to get through.
What do you advise women who also have breast cancer to handle it? Lesley-Anne Down: Research! Doctors are like all other people, everyone is different and has different ideas how to deal with it. You can not apply the same formula to every human being, every human being is different. So you should always keep yourself well informed to know what treatment options you have. What experience did you have with the doctors you treated in the end? Lesley-Anne Down: I had a brilliant team of female doctors, some of whom I have known for many years. I've visited several doctors to hear treatment options, but in the end I've stayed with those I've known for years and that's a good thing. Have you ever regretted it? Lesley-Anne Down: No, not at all. I'm happy and relieved about this step. Because so the risk could be limited. Neither psychologically nor otherwise was it problematic. Physically, I was home three days later and cooked dinner.
