Pto tell his story Silvia Podetti, must rewind the memory tape up to 10 years agoreturning to that November day 2014 which suddenly catapults her into a new reality.
“I had 35 years old at the time and I had gone for a check-up because I had felt a lump that I hadn’t had before – she says. – I wasn’t particularly scared though. Having rather fibrous and dense breasts, I thought it was nothing alarming. In reality, already from that first check-up the doctor, who had many years of experience behind him, immediately recognized what would later be the diagnosis: breast cancer”.
Bilateral mastectomy surgery
In the following days, Silvia thus subjected herself to all the necessary investigations. «In the space of a month, just before Christmas – he recalls – I was already under the knife». Furthermore, the intervention turns out to be more invasive than expected. «It didn’t emerge from the first checks but then, when I subjected myself to a further test ordered by the doctor, it was discovered an initial formation also on the other breast and therefore it was decided to proceed with a bilateral mastectomy».
‘Trust in doctors helped me’
One month after the operation, Silvia has her first appointment with the oncologist and shortly thereafter it begins supportive therapies. «I underwent cycles of chemotherapy and then I continued with hormone therapy for the next five years, until 2020. Five years in which it was necessary put me in early menopause” – remember. A difficult and painful period which Silvia however chooses to face, one step at a time, entrusting herself to the care of the medical team who follows her in the therapies.
«Already at the time of the diagnosis, the doctor reassured me a lot – he continues. – I remember very well when, with the test results in hand, he told me: ‘Don’t worry, it can be cured’. Those words immediately sent a message to me calm which allowed me to find, even in the most difficult moments, the strength to move forward. What helped me most of all? Certainly the immense trust in doctors but also the clarity of the explanations that were given to me at every stage of the process. This also really made a difference.”
From chemotherapy to surgery
The most difficult moment? «Looking back today, after 10 years, I realize that I have some gaps in my memory, perhaps because I almost erased the hardest phases – reflects Silvia. – I only remember that from that period I was trying to deal with everything as I usually do, with a pragmatic spirit, from the series ‘if it has to be done, it must be done’. It was undoubtedly difficult to think of having to undergo chemotherapy after having already undergone such an invasive operation… furthermore, after the first operation, I spent a year with expanders (temporary prostheses that are gradually filled with physiological solution, so as to relax and prepare the skin and muscle for the definitive prosthesis, ed.). Thanks to the doctors with whom I had now established a wonderful relationship, I managed to face those moments too».
The meeting with the Veronesi Foundation
In 2019, Silvia learns about the Pink Ambassador project of the Veronesi Foundation. The initiative, born in 2014, recruits women from all over Italy every year who are guided by an excellent technical team, made up of coaches, nutritionists, psychologists, gynecologists and sports doctors, with the goal of running a competitive foot race at the end of the course.
The purpose is double: on the one hand demonstrate how the constant practice of physical activity can help reduce the risk of relapses in women who have already faced a cancer diagnosis, on the other port a message of courage, supporting the importance of research and prevention. «Thanks to the fact that a friend of mine had just faced an experience similar to mine, almost for fun, I proposed that we apply – Silvia continues. – Even though we were not familiar with the world of running, we immediately thought it was a very nice project, that would have given us the possibility not only to get back into the game from a physical point of view but also of support an important cause».
Shortly thereafter, Silvia began her adventure as Pink Ambassador joining, together with her friend, the Florence team.
Pink Ambassador of the Veronesi Foundation
The experience with the Pink Ambassadors
«It was awonderful experience and also special for the relationship that has been created with the Veronesi Foundation and with the Pink Ambassadors not only of Florence but of all the other cities. Many of us met at Madridparticipating in the half marathon and the great thing is that we are still in contact. I found that in them spirit of sharing and openness that I felt I needed, beyond the possibility to talk about the disease without filters, in an authentic and natural way.”
‘With the Pink Ambassadors I run to support research’
But if today Silvia is so proud to be part of the Pink Ambassadors of the Veronesi Foundation it is also for another reason.
«In a period like this, where there is often a sort of mistrust towards science, supporting research is even more important. It is thanks to scientific research that every day we make those steps forward which perhaps are not even perceived from the outside but which are instead the bricks that will constitute future therapeutic possibilities. In recent years we have seen how many progress were accomplished in terms of survival, quality of life and targeted and less invasive therapies, especially in the case of breast cancer. Those progress requires enormous resources and this is why it is important to support research. After 10 years of therapy, For me, running with the Pink Ambassadors also means demonstrating how important it is to have faith in science».
Pink Ambassador of the Veronesi Foundation
Prevention: It is important to overcome fear
Even on the prevention front, Silvia, together with the Pink Ambassadors, feels she wants to send a message to all women.
«I notice that there is still a certain fear regarding screening – he concludes. – Fear is often a brake that leads to turning one’s face the other way and to undergo visits only when there is a perceptible sign that something is wrong. But I always tell everyone that it is better to face that pinch of anxiety that you may have the day before a check-up rather than running the risk of arriving ‘late’ or when the possibilities for remedy are more complicated.”
The Pink Ambassador project – 2025 edition is created thanks to the precious contribution of companies and entities that have long been close to Fondazione Veronesi such as Credem Euromobiliare Private Banking, Lauretana, Lenergia SpA, PayPal, Alce Nero, Clinians, Tenderly and Airone as technical partners.
SPA energy for the Pink Ambassadors
For many years Lenergia has proudly supported the Pink Ambassador project of the Umberto Veronesi Foundation, sharing the commitment to a more aware society attentive to the promotion of correct lifestyles.
Every day we provide electricity and gas to Italian families and businesses, and we believe that our work must also translate into a concrete contribution to scientific research and the diffusion of the culture of prevention, because the future lights up every day with small gestures of care, attention and responsibility.
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