'As far as I'm concerned, Lance Armstrong and I are close to exact opposites, both physically and mentally... If surviving this particularly deadly form of breast cancer required any of the Lance-like traits, such as a willingness to physically exert myself, I was as good as dead.'

When well-meaning family and friends found out about her diagnosis, they often came armed with copies of Lance Armstrong's cancer survival book. Meredith reacted by penning a sharp and funny memoir; Lopsided: How having breast cancer can be really distracting, with the aim of demonstrating that taking yourself too seriously simply causes extra stress.

How did you discover you had breast cancer?

One of my breasts was obviously unwell. It was huge, red, throbbing and producing excessive amounts of milk compared to my other breast – I was breastfeeding at the time. I consulted several doctors in France, where I was living, but was turned away for a number of reasons, all ridiculous. Finally, I went home to California to visit family. My first day home I visited my ob/gyn and she diagnosed me immediately.

It's so unusual to come across a funny and irreverent take on breast cancer - what made you decide to do it?

It wasn't really a decision. It sort of just happened. I was writing these group emails to all my friends, keeping them up to date on my treatment and avoiding them at the same time, and it just evolved. Both my grandmother and my best friend encouraged me to take the letters a bit farther, so I did.

What was the treatment like?

Where to start? It was crazy. Some of it was fun, getting all the attention. Some of it was terrifying, the surgery and needles and statistics. Sometimes it seemed like the most boring job in the world. Every day was different.

What were some of the physical and emotional effects of chemotherapy?

I did chemotherapy twice through the course of the book and each time was different. The first time I was strong and excited and cooperative. I handled the chemo well, and had very few side-effects. The baldness was dramatic, but in a way I was ready for it. The second time I was tired of the whole stupid experience that seemed like it would never end. I was sick of the attention and drama. I also had much worse side-effects after being told they would be much better. It was significantly harder the second time around, both mentally and physically.

What are some common misconceptions about breast cancer?

Quite frankly, I had no preconceptions about breast cancer. I never thought about it at all. There is this sort of myth that once you're diagnosed you're kind of in this club. I never felt that way. Who'd want to be in a club like that?

You joked about the effects of having your breast removed, but how did you cope with it?

I coped with it by joking. I've never been a "breasty" girl so I never had any real attachment to my boobs. Plus, I'd been breastfeeding for months before the whole thing began so I already felt like they were foreign objects I was forced to carry around just to feed other people. Getting rid of the one of them was easy for me. Even now, I don't feel unfeminine, I feel inconvenienced when shopping or getting dressed. I have to pay attention to necklines and just keep track of the falsie.

What attitudes towards breast cancer did you come across?

Everybody was very kind. People were amazed that I was so young, just 35, but beyond that I felt very nurtured and respected.

Were doctors less sympathetic in France?

Oy! French doctors! Talk about attitude. Regarding my diagnosis they were awful. They wouldn't talk to me. They were snotty and condescending. They were wrong. It was very difficult and worrisome, but not so scary because I had no idea of the severity of what was wrong. Later, after I began treatment in the US and then went back to France the doctors were incredibly competent and helpful. They actually filled in where my American doctors fell short. I think the reason it took so long to get diagnosed, why it never happened in France, is because the French don't listen. They already know. Or at least they think they do. When something doesn't seem right, they assume they are being misled. Their tendency is not to take a closer look, but to reject it, or you, completely. I know that is a broad generalisation, but I stand by it.

What was the worst thing about the process of surviving breast cancer?

It was really hard on my husband. We'd only been married two years when this happened. Not even two years. He had to give up a lot to take care of me. I might have asked too much.

Do you think reading your book will help other women in a similar situation?

I hope so. I hope it helps everyone in any situation. Taking yourself too seriously is stressful and taxing. Everyone can benefit from that lesson.

What precautions do you take to ensure that your breast cancer does not return?

I can't ensure my breast cancer doesn't return. I can do my best to stay fit and healthy. I eat vitamins, I don't eat sugar, I'm active, I use organic and herbal products and avoid pesticides. But quite frankly, at this point, I think the environment we've created is so toxic and damaging that once cancer rears its ugly head there is very little one can do to stop it.

I know it's hard to say, but what do you think may have caused your breast cancer?

The modern western lifestyle does very little to protect and buffer the immune system. My lifestyle was so unhealthy, a high fat, high sugar, high protein diet, that my body really didn't have a chance to fight off the disease. That, plus some bad luck, caused my cancer to flourish the way it did.

Do you think more should be done to educate women about the dangers of breast cancer and the potential causes?

More should be done to educate everybody about the dangers and impact of our gluttonous, unhealthy lifestyles. It is easy to ignore the facts when you think the consequences are theoretical. It is hard to ignore the facts when you're bald and trying to find ways to say goodbye to your toddler son.

Should preventive drugs such as Herceptin be more widely available on the NHS?

It seems to me that people should have access to the drugs they want. Why wouldn't the NHS pay for Herceptin? It's not like it’s rhinocerous horn or tiger penis or something.

Lopsided: How having breast cancer can be really distracting, by Meredith Norton is published by Virago on July 3rd, RRP £11.99.