From No-Cure to Cancer-Free: A Story of Hope

I call it “the tiny lump that ruined everything.” My husband, Warren, was the one who discovered it in May 2020, when I was 36 years old. It was the size of a small, mushy pea. It wasn’t painful and I had no symptoms—I felt the way I normally feel—but I went to my GP to get it checked out.

It was immediately dismissed as something hormonal that would probably go away on its own, so I went on with my life. I work in the film industry in Toronto, and I was even starting to develop my own broadcast show at the time.

But that tiny lump didn’t go away. I felt it growing as the months passed, so I went back to the doctor. It took months after that to get imaging done, which resulted in a biopsy. By the end of it, the lump was taking up half of my breast. Then, in February 2021, I got my diagnosis: stage four breast cancer. It was metastatic and had spread to my lungs and a spot on my sternum.

I was told that there was no cure and I had two to five years to live.

That diagnosis was jarring and terrifying. I was told that there were no options for me. Surgery wasn’t even a consideration. I could do chemotherapy to keep the tumour from growing, but it would only be a matter of time before the cancer outsmarted it.

It felt like I had no hope and nothing to hold onto. It was devastating. I couldn’t sleep knowing that this thing was growing inside of me and was slowly taking over. I put my career on hold while I figured out what to do next, which meant putting a pause on my series.

I got my diagnosis just three days after we got the green light for funding to start the show.

I knew nothing about how to navigate cancer care, but I spoke to one of my uncles, who researches the engineering side of MRI machines. He suggested I go to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto and see if I could get into a clinical trial. I was very fortunate that there was an extremely specific clinical trial that was open for people who were in exactly my position: stage four metastatic triple-negative cancer who had not had any previous treatment. It was potentially life-saving. That news gave me new energy.

The clinical trial nurse, Lindsay, was the first person who gave me a sliver of hope. She described the trial as being cutting-edge—it combined immunotherapy with chemotherapy. Lindsay told me that they were seeing great results in the trial when it worked. Hearing that gave me a reason to keep going.

I started the trial in April 2021. By that time, the tiny lump had become a tumour that was over 13 centimetres in diameter. It took up my entire left breast. After my first dose of treatment—IV immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy—the tumour had shrunk by almost 50 per cent. It was a significant and powerful response. The regimen continued every three weeks until the lump had shrunk, and it was gone within nine months, by November 2021. It felt like an element of power was coming back to me. I was elated to have such fast, quick results. It made me feel like I could get my life back on track.

By May 2022, I had stopped chemotherapy and continued with just immunotherapy. I stayed on the clinical trial and saw it through for the full two years that I committed to, until April 2023. I got to ring the bell at The Princess Margaret, which signalled the end of my regular treatment. I never imagined I’d get to do that. Going off treatment is scary because it can be what keeps your cancer away once it’s already spread. But it’s been over five years since my diagnosis, and there’s still no evidence of active disease. It’s wild to think that. It’s ongoing relief, and disbelief.

I had a great team of people behind me: nurses who were such sweet angels, my oncologist, Dr. Eitan Amir, and his team of fellows. It’s like a well-oiled machine at The Princess Margaret. I credit Dr. Amir with feeling so healthy and great today.

In the spring of 2022, after one year of treatment, I felt good enough to pick up my show and start filming that June. It’s called County Blooms, and it’s a lifestyle series where I visit flower farms, growers, creators and designers across Canada. We filmed our second season in the summer of 2024. I was very fortunate to win a Canadian Screen Award that year for hosting the show. Never in a million years did I think that would actually happen, even before I was diagnosed with cancer.

The first year or two after I finished treatment, I still felt scared that the cancer would come back. But the worst is behind me, and I’m no longer paralyzed by that fear—and I know I’ll be in good hands with my team at The Princess Margaret if my cancer does return. My story so far is one that demonstrates how people living with metastatic breast cancer can continue to live longer, better, very full lives, and it’s thanks to the incredible care and cutting-edge treatments I received. Donations to The Princess Margaret help fund clinical trials like the one that saved my life.

It feels like cancer is finally behind me now.

This story is written by FASHION after an interview with Jen Pogue in cooperation with The Princess Margaret.

How to Help Support The Princess Margaret

Giving Tuesday—Tuesday, December 2—is one of The Princess Margaret’s most popular donation days. Learn more about The Princess Margaret by visiting thepmcf.ca.

Ms. Pogue’s story has a hopeful and happy ending, thanks to funding from donors to The Princess Margaret. Donations directly support the life-saving work they do every day.

Early-onset cancers are increasing in women under 50, and the innovative trials, research and compassionate care at The Princess Margaret save lives—but they still need support. Significant progress is being made.

Help create a world free from the fear of cancer by donating to The Princess Margaret, whether you choose a monthly donation or a one-time contribution. No amount is too small; your impact will be felt. To join the cause and become a beacon of hope, visit thepmcf.ca.