“The team at The Princess Margaret gave me the hope I needed to survive.”
After returning from her honeymoon, Jenny went to the doctor to investigate a twitch in her eye and a drooping mouth. Then the unthinkable happened: Jenny was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that had spread to her brain. “Everything went blank. Silent,” said Jenny.Jenny’s cancer was unexpected. “I don’t drink or smoke,” she said. Her diagnosis came down to a mutation common in Asian females. “The doctor said, ‘It’s just bad luck.’”
Timing, however, was on her side. Without treatment, Jenny would have only had weeks to live. Thankfully, she was referred to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and placed under the care of Dr. Geoffrey Liu, a clinician scientist specializing in molecular genomics. “The team at The Princess Margaret gave me care, compassion and the hope that I needed to survive,” said Jenny.
Jenny’s brain tumour was treated with Gamma Knife surgery, an advanced radiation therapy that spares healthy tissue while precisely targeting tumours. She was also prescribed Osimertinib, a revolutionary molecular drug. “These drugs are controlling cancer for up to years; they allow patients to focus on living their lives instead of their illness,” said Dr. Liu.
Today, Jenny is thriving. She has returned to work, enjoys life with her husband Mark and their dog Rocky, and manages her cancer with just one pill a day.
Jenny’s story is a testament to the progress in cancer care made possible by donor support. The Princess Margaret continues to pioneer new therapies, ensuring that when one treatment ends, another can take its place. This is how we create brighter tomorrows for patients like Jenny.
“Research donations led to discoveries that saved Jenny’s life, but more is needed to keep her and others healthy.”
Dr. Geoffrey Liu
Oncologist and Senior Scientist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre