My breast cancer diagnosis at age 41 in Dubai

By Lauren O’Connell

In Azerbaijan, just hours before finding out I tested positive for breast cancer.

December 15, 2023, is a date forever etched in my mind. It’s the day I got the news that turned my world upside down: I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Just ten days before Christmas, while on a press trip in Azerbaijan, my phone buzzed with a text from my GP. The message was clear and concise- 'My love, it is breast cancer.' Time froze as I tried to process this life-altering bombshell as I was traveling on a neverending road in a van packed with journalists and influencers from all over the globe.

Back in Dubai, getting further testing done at the clinic. I can see the sadness on my face in this photo.

Days before embarking to Eurasia, I had gotten a biopsy for a lump that I felt in my right breast. When the offer of the trip to Azerbaijan was presented to me, I jumped at the chance to go. I was more than confident my biopsy results would be normal and the lump would turn out to be a benign cyst.

More breast cancer testing. It didn't seem to end!

While attemping to process the news of my diagnosis with breast cancer, I rushed back to Dubai, diving headfirst into a whirlwind of scans, tests, and more doctor appointments. I was confused, angry, scared, and even a bit embarrassed. What was my future going to look like? I didn’t have time for cancer. I had big projects on the horizon, two kids to care for, and a husband who needed me. I loved the direction my life was heading, and breast cancer was a giant plot twist in my road of dreams and ambitions.

Despite the unknowns, I still managed to smile (at times!).

Up until now, I’ve kept my breast cancer diagnosis under wraps. I felt from the start that this challenge was a spiritual journey my soul had signed up for. I didn’t want to make the news public as I had so many questions and barely any answers. Although I know a lot of people would want to send me love and support, I couldn't imagine answering Instagram DMs or replying to comments on my YouTube channel when I had barely any idea of what was happening to me. I needed a lot of space to center my thoughts and get clear on my treatment plan.

The day of surgery. I figured the sooner we started, the sooner we'd finish.

Today, as I write this, I am three weeks out from my last chemotherapy treatment and finally ready to share. I’ll be writing about so many aspects of my diagnosis ofbreast cancer on my website, so please be sure to subscribe and share with family and friends who have been touched by this life-altering disease.