Our patients' stories

Lulú De Panbehchi

Breast cancer

Exploring the world through her camera lens, Lulú De Panbehchi connects her art to her recovery from breast cancer, layering and distorting images with elements from her life, from chocolate to medication.

“My idea is that whatever makes me feel good is good for my photos,” she says. That is just how Lulú goes through all her days. “My philosophy is the more you smile, the better you feel.” When she was diagnosed with breast cancer first in one breast, and then a year later in the other breast, Lulú made an agreement with her husband and son that they wouldn’t mention the word "cancer" unless something needed to be discussed. “Sometimes we would go almost a week without saying anything about cancer.”

When her doctors told her that due to her having the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, they recommended the removal of both her breasts and ovaries, she viewed the decision as a step forward into a healthy future. “I do not miss my breasts. I am glad that I don’t have them because removing them was a solution for me. My father died of lung cancer after being diagnosed at an advanced stage. There was no solution for him at the time. There was a solution for me, so I’m happy.”

Back to all stories