Jean-Paul Bret, mayor of Villeurbanne, and Patrick Chêne, former journalist for France Télévisions, spoke about the disease that struck them.
About three million people live in France with cancer. And yet, the disease is still taboo. Very few people speak openly about their cancer. But lately, some personalities have nevertheless decided to break the silence, for different reasons.
This is the case of the mayor of Villeurbanne, near Lyon. This Wednesday, Jean-Paul Bret announced to the newspaper Progress that he had lymphoma, diagnosed in early July. “To put it simply, it is a cancer of lymphocytes, that is to say of a family of white blood cells. The disease is well identified and circumscribed, ”testified the 71-year-old councilor, adding that he has started chemotherapy treatment which will continue until the end of the year.
“Transparency”
By this declaration, the elected representative wanted to play the card of “transparency”, as a “public figure”. He will continue to perform his duties, with some lightening of his schedule, in order to continue his treatment. He wanted to be honest and inform the 150,000 inhabitants he administers.
But his approach also has an “educational virtue. Cancer is a disease that is still subject to certain taboos. In my position, I bring a testimony ”, he explained, adding:“ We live with cancer. That’s why I decided to talk about it in simplicity. I am without anxiety ”.
“Let’s stop complaining”
He didn’t say anything during his illness. It was once healed that Patrick Chêne spoke of his cancer, in order to praise the French hospital system and the quality of caregivers. In a column published in the Figaro, the former journalist from France Télévisions pays tribute to the public hospital where, “wealthy as well as destitute, everyone is housed in the same boat”. A system that is “priceless”.
Aware of how lucky he is to live in a country that takes care of cancer patients in this way, Patrick Chêne sends a message to the French: “Let’s stop complaining!” “. “In our country, support in the event of a real blow is exceptional in the public service,” notes the journalist. You just have to be aware of it and be happy about it before focusing on what can be improved ”.
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