In France, nearly 58,000 new breast cancer cases are diagnosed annually. About 50% affect women aged 50-69, and 28% those over 69. A mammography screening program every two years is recommended for women 50-74. For younger women without risk factors, no organized screening exists, but annual breast exams by a doctor or gynecologist are advised from age 25. Often, self-exams lead to discovering a lump, prompting medical consultation—as happened to Fanny Leeb, eldest daughter of Michel Leeb.
The 33-year-old singer shared with Télérama magazine how she found a cancerous tumor in her breast in December 2018: "I was in the studio working on my songs. I went to make tea, and a door closed behind me, splashing boiling water on my chest. Two days later, checking the burn, I noticed a lump." She added, "This burn certainly saved my life. I wonder if a guardian angel closed that door."
Facing this aggressive cancer with a rapid proliferation rate, the singer fought back: "I decided not to be afraid. I threw myself into battle, fists raised, determined to knock out this cancer," she told Gala last September. Her resilience helped her endure chemotherapy while pursuing her music career. "After injections, I had two good days to work, then the storm hit—joint pain, nausea, extreme fatigue. I felt awful... But I told myself to grit my teeth; it'd pass. Music kept my spirits up." Treatments ended in July 2019.
Now a survivor—like her brother Tom Leeb, who represented France at Eurovision—Fanny reflects: "I'm not the same. Before, I was fragile and hypersensitive. Now, I feel strong and confident." Early-stage breast cancer is cured in 9 of 10 cases, with over 87% of patients alive five years post-diagnosis thanks to research advances. Early screening remains crucial.
