In December 2020, I found a lump in my left breast and within two weeks I was diagnosed with hormone receptive breast cancer. Treatment started in January 2021 and over two and a half years later, I'm undergoing my 35th round of chemotherapy & hormone therapy. I'm tolerating and responding to the drugs really well, and the latest scans show that the tumours in my breast are no longer detectable on the CT scan, the tumours in my lymph nodes in my armpit and neck have shrunk and is stable, and that the deposits in my bones are healing. 

Never one to do things by halves, a few weeks after starting breast cancer treatment, I was also diagnosed with a second (unrelated) cancer, following a routine cervical screening test in Jan 2021. This was treated with a full hysterectomy and oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) to remove all oestrogen (as my breast cancer is HR receptive). So I'm also enjoying a surgical menopause too.

I have had a lot of bad luck in my life, perhaps more than most people, but in many ways I consider myself lucky. I am lucky to have found both cancers, lucky to be treatable (although not curable), lucky to have a great medical team behind me and lucky to be tolerating and responding to treatment.  I am lucky to have had two healthy children when I did, as many women go through female cancers before they've had kids, rendering them infertile (as I now am). I am lucky to have the amazing support of my brilliant friends & family. I have been lucky to receive so much help from MCMC, helping me with acupuncture to ease the symptoms of surgical menopause, and helping me manage my head with a Mindfulness programme.

Taking part in Battle Cancer 2023 is a great opportunity to give back to a charity who continue to help me and also to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining physical activity when going through cancer treatment, or living with cancer. I am lucky to be able to take part in this event and stick two fingers up at cancer.