God bless America - and a whirlwind of referrals and second and third opinions followed my diagnosis. It was only a week after the diagnosis that I was admitted into the New York Cornell Hospital for a mastectomy. I don't want to be unfair about the standard of medical care in Britain, because since my return to London in August 1998, it has been fantastic. My doctor in New York used to work with my doctor in London, so I got referred to the best cancer specialist's list in this country. Fewer women would die from breast cancer if they received the treatment they needed and deserved.
Early diagnosis is vital.
Having faced up to my own mortality I wanted to do something for my son, something that would make him proud. So I decided to compile a book, and contacted several women who I knew had also experienced cancer. These women took a giant leap of faith when they shared their experiences with me for the book, but women facing the same diagnosis can take comfort in the fact that others have been there before them and survived. I am certainly motivated and encouraged by their tremendous zest for living. When I started to research and write All Woman it was that very enthusiasm and positiveness that was missing in the media and how the media dealt with cancer and survivors.