Lili Sohn's cancer journey and advocacy

Lili Sohn, diagnosed with cancer before turning 30, has used social media since 2022 to share her personal experiences. Her story gained attention when she collaborated with Marc Billaud, a cancer researcher, who asked to use one of her posters at a conference on inequalities in cancer care in Lyon.

Comic book highlights systemic cancer causes

The collaboration between Sohn and Billaud resulted in the comic book Cancer. Une affaire d’État, published in October 2026. The book argues for a shift from individual to collective prevention, focusing on environmental and occupational causes of cancer rather than personal behavior.

Sohn challenges medical narratives

In an interview, Sohn explained that she chose to illustrate the moment her doctor called her breast cancer diagnosis "biological bad luck." She wanted to challenge this explanation and promote a broader understanding of cancer causes, criticizing the common claim that 40% of cancers are "avoidable" as guilt-inducing and oversimplified.

Billaud introduces the term 'carcinocene'

Marc Billaud introduced the term "carcinocene" to describe the complex web of historical, social, economic, and political factors that lead to exposure to carcinogens. He used this concept to highlight the impact of chlordécone, a pesticide that contaminated the Antilles and affected women and Black workers in banana plantations.

Aging and cancer incidence

Billaud also discussed the difference between age and aging, noting that cancer incidence increases with age but not necessarily with the biological process of aging. He pointed out that asbestos, still present in the environment despite bans, could cause 100,000 deaths by 2050 and called for legal changes to hold employers accountable for health risks.

Occupational cancer recognition remains low

Sohn and Billaud highlighted the challenges of recognizing occupational cancers, with only 1,400 cases recognized annually in France. They mentioned the role of scientific interest groups like Giscop, which help patients prove their occupational diseases and seek support.

Social inequalities in cancer outcomes

They also addressed the social inequalities in cancer outcomes, noting that people from modest backgrounds tend to die more frequently and more quickly from cancer. They pointed out that prevention efforts are underfunded, with only 100 million euros allocated annually in France compared to 23 billion for cancerology programs.

Critics challenge Octobre rose campaign

Critics of the Octobre rose campaign, which promotes cancer awareness, argue that it places too much emphasis on individual responsibility and behavior change. Sohn noted that the campaign has started to incorporate a more political perspective, influenced by groups like Cancer Colère, which has organized protests against companies like Syngenta.

Growing political movement against cancer

Sohn and Billaud see a growing movement in France that is politicizing cancer, drawing comparisons to the activism of Act Up in the fight against HIV-AIDS. They believe this movement, led by younger generations, will continue to grow and influence public health policies.