“Clémentine’s diary can help find avenues of behavior” with patients, according to the oncologist of Clémentine Vergnaud, who died of cancer

“This kind of testimony can help find avenues of behavior,” to have in front of patients, explains Pascal Hammel, head of the digestive and medical oncology department at the Paul-Brousse hospital in Villejuif (Val-de-Marne), Friday October 4 on franceinfo on the occasion of the release of Clementine’s Diary (Radio France and Le Seuil). The book is inspired by the podcast “My life facing cancer” by Clémentine Vergnaud, journalist at franceinfo, who died of bile duct cancer at the age of 31, on December 23, 2023. The proceeds will be donated to the fund created in her memory to finance the research against cholangiocarcinoma.

“It’s a book that must stay”underlines the oncologist who followed Clémentine during her fight against cancer. “The most important testimony for me is how she feels about the illness”particularly for caregivers, continues Pascal Hammel. It allows you to ask yourself “How am I going to be able to talk to this woman who is sick?” “what is my real place in his life?”, “do I have the authority to give him advice?”

According to him, the book can be used in particular by caregivers “younger” Who “must very quickly be able to behave properly and use the right words.” At 25 years old, “It’s extremely difficult to be aware of what someone at 30 who is going to die of cancer can feel.” With this testimony, “we can imagine ourselves a little better in the shoes of what someone whose life is threatened might feel.” insists Pascal Hammel.