Walking, running, moving forward: Priscilla Bernard’s path through breast cancer
In this episode of the podcast, I welcome Priscilla Bernard, 2024 godmother of the La Strasbourgeoise race, to talk about the breast cancer that affected her and the importance of sport during the illness.
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Episode summary
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, Priscilla Bernard went through a year of tough treatment before going into remission. Today, as godmother of the La Strasbourgeoise race in 2024, she testifies to the importance of screening and the life-saving role of physical activity during and after the disease.
An unexpected diagnosis
Priscilla discovered her disease by chance: pain, palpation, an unusual lump. She quickly opted for a biopsy to get a clear answer. The verdict was in: she had to fight breast cancer.
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy… In December 2023, the heavy treatments came to an end. Since then, she has continued to receive regular follow-up treatment with daily medication and injections.
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Announce and cross
When the diagnosis is announced, Priscilla rushes to tell her partner, then thinks about the best way toexplain the situation to her three-and-a-half-year-old daughter. A children’s book, Ma maman est une pirate (My Mommy’s a Pirate), becomes an invaluable tool for discussing the disease in children’s terms.
On the professional side, the teacher takes a break, gradually resumes work in February 2024 on a part-time basis, then returns to full-time work in November of the same year.
Sport as breathing
Before the disease, Priscilla wasn’t a competitive athlete, but she was a regular runner. During her treatments, she sticks to a mission given to her by her surgeon: to get out and walk for at least thirty minutes a day.
When her body allows it, she runs or rows at home. These moments become a real breath of fresh air: “I felt free and alive. It was my way of contributing to the treatment,” she explains.
A commitment to screening and physical activity
As godmother of La Strasbourgeoise in 2024, Priscilla has two strong messages:
- early detection: essential, even outside the age group targeted by organized screening (50-75 years);
- physical activity: no need to perform, just move, walk, run a little, get out and breathe.
She notes that fear still holds many women back: fear of diagnosis, fear of treatment. Her testimony shows that it is possible to get through illness and keep moving forward.
Club support and new challenges
Since her remission, Priscilla has joined a running club. Every Tuesday evening, she slips on her sneakers for a group workout: “I’m always at the back of the pack, but it doesn’t matter. It’s a fixed appointment, a moment of pleasure.
Together with other women affected by the disease, she is also preparing an unprecedented challenge: cycling 100 km between Strasbourg and Mulhouse in autumn 2025, then taking part in the Les Mulhousiennes race.
Final message
For those who are reluctant to undergo screening or get active during their illness, Priscilla has a simple message ofhope. “Sport, however modest, is a breath of fresh air. And screening gives you a better chance of getting better.