I'm a Four-time Cancer Survivor. I Want Others to Have the Same Chance at Recovery as I Did.
Published Monday, April 13, 2026
Four-time cancer survivor Kathy Forbes shares her story to inspire hope and support better cancer care for patients across Northwestern Ontario.
The third time I got cancer, I was sure I was going to die.
I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. My husband Brian and I had just come back from Hawaii to celebrate our 25th anniversary. I had my regular mammogram and about five days later the Linda Buchan Centre called me in for a biopsy. It confirmed the worst.
You really can't understand how much cancer turns your world upside down until you get that diagnosis. I had surgery (a lumpectomy), chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. It was difficult, but when it was over, I counted my blessings and put it behind me.
Two years later, I had another lump in my right breast, but this time it was scar tissue. I was so relieved! My doctor ordered a chest scan just to be safe. That's when they found inoperable lung cancer. I was devastated. This one was so different because society has made lung cancer a shameful disease. I continually told people that I've never smoked a day in my life – though I strongly believe that even if I had, everyone still deserves the best treatment possible.
I had more chemo and 33 radiation treatments. The good news is that the tumours had shrunk considerably, and my cancer became operable. After my surgery, I had another four rounds of chemo. The treatment was successful, but it was hard both physically and emotionally.
In February 2013, we went back to Hawaii for our 30th anniversary, so happy we could go there again together after my two cancer scares! But once again when we came back, I found a lump on my neck near my collarbone – and once again, I was diagnosed with cancer. This time, it was in the lymph node. I was at my lowest, convinced it would get me this time. I couldn't imagine going through treatment for the third time in five years. But I did – surgery, eight brutal rounds of chemotherapy, and 10 high-dose radiation treatments. Thankfully though, I was cancer-free! I could not believe I survived cancer three times.
I kept going for regular mammograms and screening. It is always stressful, but I knew it was important to catch the cancer early. I was cancer-free for eight years, but sure enough, cancer did come back in June 2022, this time in my left breast. I had a double mastectomy and hormone replacement therapy, but thankfully I didn't need any more chemo or radiation treatments.
The Cancer Centre saved my life four times, and I've been cancer-free for over three years. I'm alive today because of the calibre of the doctors and staff we have at the Cancer Centre. They provided the medical expertise and the support services I needed to get me through long, hard, threatening ordeals.
That's why today, I do everything I can to ensure we have the best cancer care possible, right here in Northwestern Ontario. I am a Patient Family Advisor at the Hospital, which gives me the opportunity to give my input, concerns, and suggestions that can improve patient experience and care. I explain to the healthcare providers how difficult those treatments can be physically, and the psychological impact cancer can have on both you and your family. I also promote regular cancer screening, because I know that early screening saves lives.
Over the years, I've seen how donations have improved local cancer care. For example, when I first had breast cancer almost 20 years ago, I had 16 radiation treatments over four weeks. Every patient is different but recently, a woman I know only needed five treatments in five days because technology is so much better. That's entirely thanks to everyone who donated to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation!
The Cancer Centre needs our help again. Our oldest linear accelerator or “LINAC” used for radiation treatments is now over 10 years old and needs to be replaced. Cancer Care Ontario will provide the new LINAC, but there are other costs such as renovating the radiation suite and purchasing add-on equipment. I'm told those costs could reach $1 million. Your donation today will help cover those costs and avoid delays to patient treatment due to broken down equipment.
My main messages: get screened, stay hopeful, make the most of your time, and become an advocate in your own health – even if that means asking someone close to you to be that advocate for you. I beat cancer four times. I want others to have the best chance of beating it, too – and ensure they can get the care they need, right here at home.
Please, donate what you can to help install the new LINAC for all regional patients at:
Healthsciencesfoundation.ca/cancer
By Kathy Forbes