I believe that there is life after cancer.”

It was through a routine mammogram that cancer was found in Pat Hockings. The then-50-year old had had a baseline mammogram a year earlier. A regular breast examination by her doctor hadn’t detected the small growth. But luckily, her second mammogram did. “They found a small lump,” explains the Port Colbourne, Ontario native.

But the diagnosis of breast cancer didn’t get Pat down for long. “I was one of the stubborn people who went home and had a good cry. Then I decided that I was going to beat this cancer.” Two weeks later, Pat had surgery to remove her Stage 1 tumour.

The lumpectomy was followed radiation. During her treatments, Pat continued to work at her job as a marketing manager. After work, she would get in her car and drive a two-hour round trip to receive her treatments. “After radiation, I would treat myself with a coffee or Dairy Queen ice cream,” says Pat. “I would also listen to motivational tapes in the car. I found that very helpful.”

Pat also participated in a clinical drug trial and took had additional drug treatment for five years. During her treatments, Pat read as much as she could about breast cancer. “I went in every time to my doctor with a list of questions. It was my life and my body and I wanted to have answers.”

Pat has been cancer-free for more than 12 years. She credits having the support of family and friends and a positive attitude for her successful outcome. “I was so stubborn that I was going to beat it because I had lots of life left to live.”

Now retired and a grandmother, Pat likes to travel and visit with family and friends. She also spends a lot of her time volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society. Pat trains new volunteers for the Society and does speaking engagements on request to raise awareness about breast cancer.

Pat is also a facilitator with the Living with Cancer support group in Port Colbourne, which is open to people with cancer and their family and friends. “Sometimes people find it therapeutic to talk and share their experiences with others who are going through the same thing as they are.”

When she’s not volunteering, Pat likes to work out at her gym. “Exercise is a very good stress reliever. And you know you’ve done a good thing for your body.

“Cancer has made me more aware of my mortality and it made me aware of what’s important in life.”