Chapter 1: A Personal Story of Hope

Skeptical about science? Let me share a poignant tale with you…

Just yesterday marked the 71st birthday of my mentor, a woman who wasn't expected to reach this milestone. Nineteen summers ago, her yearly mammogram revealed metastatic breast cancer, and follow-up blood tests indicated that the disease had already spread to her liver. In 2001, she received the grim news to prepare for the end, as her life was projected to last only a few months.

Fast forward nearly two decades, and she is still with us.

As she and her loved ones grappled with this devastating diagnosis, our province’s exceptional cancer care system quickly sprang into action. Following genetic assessments, surgery, and chemotherapy, her oncologist delivered the news: her cancer was HER2-positive, meaning her tumors expressed a protein known as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, which accelerates cancer cell growth.

This oncologist, who also conducts research aimed at alleviating the impact of breast cancer, proposed a clinical trial for a new monoclonal antibody treatment, trastuzumab. The results from the US had been promising, and he believed it was worth a shot.

My dear friend has since undergone more infusions of this medication, marketed as Herceptin, than anyone else in Canada. Because it is a targeted treatment rather than conventional chemotherapy, she hasn’t experienced hair loss or debilitating nausea following her monthly doses. The trial has concluded, and Herceptin is now recognized on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.

However, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. There have been instances of brain metastases—since the drug cannot penetrate the blood-brain barrier—resulting in neurosurgery, along with side effects such as acute osteoporosis.

Through every obstacle, my mentor has remained a resilient and pragmatic fighter—and she continues to thrive.

Over these 19 years, she has celebrated her children’s weddings and welcomed three grandchildren into the world. She has traveled extensively in Europe and dedicated time to swimming and working with a personal trainer to enhance her bone health.

She has generously supported other women facing similar health struggles, blending realism with hope and kindness. We’ve enjoyed countless lunches and dinners filled with the kind of meaningful conversations that good friends share.

In the year following her diagnosis, she took the lead among friends in a fundraising run for cancer research. It’s only fitting that she now stands as a testament to the fruits of unwavering dedication to research.

In these challenging times, it’s vital to find reasons to celebrate.

I’m honoring the scientists, particularly the dedicated researchers who pioneered trastuzumab, as well as the committed clinician who identified the appropriate drug trial.

I’m also thankful that my friend resides in Canada, where she has had access to 19 years of treatment funded by our taxpayer-supported healthcare system, freeing her family from financial concerns regarding her care.

Above all, I am grateful she is celebrating another birthday. Here’s to many more to come!

The first video titled "Communicating Science (in a science-skeptical world)" explores how to effectively convey scientific knowledge in an environment often resistant to scientific understanding.

The second video, "Science DEBUNKS Miracles? Not So Fast...[The Skeptic's Guide to Miracles Part 1]," delves into the intersection of science and beliefs in miracles, challenging common misconceptions.