While the ESMO 2021 congress has just presented many new cancer treatments, Vincent Guerrier and Léa Dall’aglio, authors of the book “Malades de sport” (Editions du Faubourg), recount their experience of the disease and recall that physical activity plays an essential role in care.
Why doctor – You were diagnosed with cancer of the lymphatic system at 23 years old. Can you explain to us what it is?
Vincent Warrior – Hodgking’s lymphoma is a cancer of the blood that affects the lymphatic system, the guarantor of the immune system.
How did you find out you were sick?
Vincent Warrior – I was very tired. I also suffered from night sweats and extreme itching at night. I could sometimes scratch myself until I bled.
Lea Dall’aglio – The diagnosis was complicated to make, because it was not symptoms that spoke to all doctors. For ten months, Vincent was first told that he had scabies, then he was advised to change his shower gel… Until a doctor gave him an x-ray, which showed a mass between the lungs. Vincent then did all the necessary tests to find out if it was cancer: scanner, biopsy, blood test, etc.
What treatments did you follow?
Vincent Warrior – I first did chemotherapy treatments every two weeks for 4 months. After that, I received x-rays 5 times a week for a month, in order to remove the remnants of the tumour. I have not been operated on, because this type of cancer generally reacts well to treatment: 90% of patients, who are generally young, survive.
Has the disease affected your daily life?
Vincent Warrior – Yes, of course. Already on the professional level: I had to sign a CDI, but illness prevented me from doing so. I also got closer to my relatives by moving to Caen, where Léa joined me. A cancer somehow puts life on hold.
Lea Dall’aglio – This lymphoma also gave rise to our journalistic project “Malades de sport”, which materialized in the form ofan associationa documentary and of a book. Vincent was thus able to continue to live his passion for journalism at his own pace, despite the illness.
How did the idea of playing sports during your treatments come to you?
Vincent Warrior – The trigger was a somewhat awkward remark from a radiation therapist. He told me that the treatments would probably cause me long-term cardiac arrhythmias, adding: “it won’t interfere with your daily life, but don’t expect to run a marathon”. At that moment, I said to myself that one day, I really wanted to run one anyway. So we started training with Léa, who motivated me.
Has sport helped you better support your care?
Vincent Warrior – Yes, very clearly. After my first chemotherapy, it took me five days to recover, with great difficulty in moving. It was like I was hungover. In the end, thanks to the sport, I could go jogging the day after a treatment session, and I had completely recovered after two days.
Did your marathon training also help you psychologically?
Vincent Warrior – Yes. Already because physical activity provides a feeling of mental well-being, we feel stronger. Then because when you are on sick leave without doing anything, it gives a rhythm of life and a schedule.
Why did you decide to found an association?
Vincent Warrior – During my treatment journey, we realized that very few doctors had told us that physical activity could be beneficial for our health. However, there are plenty of studies, particularly on breast and prostate cancer, which show that regular physical activity of the patient lowers the risk of recurrence and mortality. We are therefore campaigning for appropriate physical activity to be fully integrated into patient care pathways and into the training of doctors.
Lea Dall’aglio – Physical activity is not a miracle cure that cures cancer, but it is part of the care, in the short and long term. Our association aims to work on this theme and to disseminate this essential message.
Is the message starting to get through?
Lea Dall’aglio – Yes, even if it takes time. We really have the impression of participating in the evolution of anti-cancer treatments, with a non-drug therapy.
Are you still running today?
Vincent Warrior – I still run a little bit, but I mostly cycle long distances. I can cover almost 200 km in one day.
Where are you at professionally?
Vincent Warrior – We bounced back well with Léa, since we both found work.
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