Personal stories

Alyson sat at a table on a balcony with a glass of white wine

My advice to anyone who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer - listen to your body

Alyson, a retired district nurse, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. She recovered well after treatment but started feeling pain in h...

Charli, her family and their dog, stood in front of a large still lake with hills in the background

If I’d known more about the signs and symptoms of secondary breast cancer, I wouldn’t have doubted myself

8 years after her primary diagnosis, Charli started feeling a pain in her arm. It came out of nowhere - she didn’t have an injury and couldn...

Peggy on holiday, with decorative dome structures made of stone behind her.

Sometimes we underestimate the power of the patient experience, but our voices can make change happen

Penny was looking for a way to get involved at Breast Cancer Now after her diagnosis. She didn’t feel ready to take on a physical challenge....

Photo of Neva, who is wearing glasses, a light coloured headscarf and a flowery dress. She is smiling. It is sunny and there are bushes in the background.

Breast Cancer Voices

As a Voice, I use my experience to make lasting, positive change

Neva was ready to start life in the UK when she was diagnosed with primary breast cancer. During treatment she saw the difference personalis...

Linda and Lucy sat next to each other on a white sofa. Behind them are windows showing a garden with pink flowers.

If Emma could see some of the things we've done to raise money, she'd be proud

Emma’s last wish was to raise money so that others wouldn’t go through the same experience as her. Lin and Lucy decided to honour this wish ...

Colin and his family going for a walk in the park. A little boy is sat on his shoulders pointing to the sky. Everyone is wearing winter coats.

When Gill passed away, I knew that I had to do something that made sure her story lived on

Colin lost his wife, Gill, to breast cancer in 2007 and started a fund in her name. Since then, he's raised over £30,000 in her memory with ...

Photo of Leighanne with her dog in a wood. Leighanne has shoulder length brown hair, is wearing a tracksuit, and is smiling. She is crouching next to her dog, who has cream-coloured, fluffy fur.

Giving something back as a Breast Cancer Voice is such a privilege

Following her treatment for primary breast cancer, Leighanne found the Moving Forward course helped her to talk through her experiences. Now...

A photo of Jackie, swimming outdoors. The water comes up to her shoulders. She is wearing a woolly hat and swimming costume, and is smiling. In the background are rocks and trees.

I couldn’t wait to get back to swimming with my friends after treatment

During treatment for primary breast cancer, Jackie was desperate to get back in the water. Now, from plunging into icy lakes to dips in the ...

Photo of Rani wearing a blue and gold sari. She is also wearing glasses, and is smiling

We have so much more to do to raise breast cancer awareness in the Asian community

Diagnosed just after her 50th birthday, Rani faced anxiety during treatment and isolation after. The Moving Forward course helped her connec...

Carol sat at a table, with a bar in the background. She is wearing a black long-sleeved top and a long silver necklace.

I hope that my work will improve things even further for people going through breast cancer

People affected by breast cancer are at the heart of what we do. Our Breast Cancer Voices, like Carol, help make that happen. She’s taken on...

David with his arm around Gill, holding hands. They are both smiling at the camera, sat close together at a table.

In memory of my beautiful wife Gill, I’m teeing off 100 holes in a single day

When David's wife, Gill, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, their lives changed forever. Now, in Gill's memory, David and his friends...

Selfie of Angela, smiling and wearing a shoulder-length pink wig and a colourful Christmas jumper.

How wearing silly wigs led to raising £15,000

Angela, a primary school teacher and mum of 2, was 38 when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. She shares her diagnosis an...

Natalie holding her baby daughter outside on a path, surrounded by trees and tall grass. Natalie has shoulder length blonde hair and is grinning with a hand on her hip.

Being a Breast Cancer Voice is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life

As a Breast Cancer Voice, Natalie shapes our work as a charity. Our Breast Cancer Voices make sure that the experiences of people with breas...

Lorraine on the beach, wearing a pink knitted cap, a black jacket, and sunglasses. The sand, sea and sunset are behind her.

I’ve raised over £30,000 as a volunteer, and this is just the beginning

Lorraine discovered the power of volunteering over 10 years ago. Her dedication has since raised over £30,000 for Breast Cancer Now, and she...

A photo of Louise, a smiling blonde woman wearing sunglasses and a black t-shirt. In the background are reeds, grass and a wooden walkway.

The Moving Forward course inspired me to take back control

Struggling with health anxiety after primary breast cancer, Louise signed up to one of our Moving Forward courses. Sharing her experiences h...

Aimee wearing a pink Breast Cancer Now running vest with her name printed on it. She is stood in a green patch of grass with her hands on her hips.

My nana is my reason for running the London Marathon

Aimee raised money for us by running in this years’ TCS London Marathon. She tells us the story of her nana, Joan, who sadly died from breas...

A photo of Claire, standing smiling in a sports hall, holding a pink and white tennis racket.

Getting back into sport after my diagnosis made me feel alive and strong again

Claire’s secondary breast cancer forced her to stop sports and retire from her work as a PE teacher and coach. She tells us how she returned...

Joanna and a group of walkers posing with a larger white frame that says Hope with every step.

Walking together was overwhelming and wonderful

After finishing her breast cancer treatment, Joanna wanted to get active while raising money for Breast Cancer Now. She signed up for the Pi...

Volunteering at the Pink Ribbon Walk meant so much to me

After Aimee’s diagnosis, her mother and friends took on the Pink Ribbon Walk in her honour. Because she was in active treatment, Aimee could...

Almona and her son on a beach in Barcelona. They are both smiling, and the sand and sea is behind them.

I want to make sure that future generations have a better experience of breast cancer

As a Breast Cancer Voice, Almona focuses on making sure equality, diversity and inclusion are a priority in everything we do as a charity. S...

Photo of Becky leading a yoga session at the pin ribbon walk. She is sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat with her arms raised up. Another woman sits facing her in the same pose. Both are wearing pink Breast Cancer Now t-shirts.

Joining the Pink Ribbon Walk gave me such a lift

Still undergoing breast cancer treatment, Becky signed up for the Pink Ribbon Walk. She told us about herself, her fundraising and her highl...

Darlaine pointing to a poster of herself. The poster reads 'Tai Chi, meet the sea.' and features a photo of Darlaine swimming in the sea.

Swimming after breast cancer is so freeing

There are plenty of benefits to physical activity after breast cancer treatment, both physically and mentally. For Darlaine, swimming helped...

Photo of Robert, a bald man wearing glasses, dark trousers and a pink Breast Cancer Now t-shirt, holding a Breast Cancer Now collection bucket and standing in front of a pink table displaying Breast Cancer Now merchandise in a shopping centre.

15 years later, we’ve reached our £100,000 fundraising goal

A tireless fundraiser for Breast Cancer Now, Robert shares how he got started, what keeps him motivated, and how his team pushed towards an ...

Emily wearing a graduation gown and cap. She is stood on a pavement in front of a patch of grass outside her university.

Younger women, Breast Cancer Voices

As a Breast Cancer Voice, I’m helping to shape the future of breast cancer support and care

Emily was recently a member of the steering group for our Big Breast Cancer Survey. The survey was created to understand people’s experience...

Alex with dyed green hair, a green t shirt and red glasses

The younger women with secondaries event helped me feel less alone

Alex was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at 41. As a young woman, going through a serious illness felt isolating. Looking to connect ...

Photo of Nikki and her sister Michelle on a sunny day at the Pink Ribbon Walk. They are both wearing sunglasses and pink Breast Cancer Now t-shirts, and smiling. They are holding up a large cardboard picture frame to frame their faces. Text on the frame reads "Hope with every step"

We all have our own stories but we’re walking for the same goal

After her sisters’ breast cancer diagnoses and her own mastectomy, Nikki took part in the Pink Ribbon Walk. She tells us about her amazing, ...

A woman lifting a barbell above her head at a weightlifting competition. She has light brown hair and is wearing a headband, a black singlet and a pink weightlifting belt. She has a triumphant look on her face.

Getting fit helped me power through my treatment, and now I’m a weightlifting champion

When Dawn was diagnosed with breast cancer, she decided to increase her physical activity to get the best treatment outcome she could. She t...

Selfie photo of two women smiling with Pink Ribbon Walk finishers' medals. The are both wearing sunglasses and pink Breast Cancer Now t-shirts and standing in a grassy field with event signs in the background.

The Pink Ribbon Walk was the highlight of my year

Inspired by her friend’s diagnosis, Charlotte has been involved in all sorts of fundraising. She recently entered the Pink Ribbon Walk and h...

Tony, a man with shoulder length white hair, dark eyebrows, a gold earring and a handlebar moustache, wearing a green and white striped polo t-shirt, with some tattoos visible on his arms. Posing for portraits, sat outside on a bench, with the wind through his hair.

I had no idea men could get breast cancer

Before his diagnosis, Tony had no idea men could get breast cancer. Now, he wants to make sure people understand that anyone could get the d...

Hedwig smiling and giving a thumbs up. She is wearing glasses and a pink Breast Cancer Now shirt. Behind her is a bookcase and a desk.

I love spreading awareness in local communities

Hedwig started volunteering with us in 2014. For the past 10 years, she’s been delivering talks to groups across the UK as a public health v...

Photo of 4 volunteers at the Pink Ribbon walk. They are all smiling and wearing orange Breast Cancer now T-shirts. One is holding some medals, one is waving, one has an air horn and the other a tambourine.

Volunteering at the Pink Ribbon Walk was wonderful

After her treatment for primary breast cancer, Priya wanted to give something back. She told us what it was like to volunteer at the Pink Ri...

Fiona on the deck of a boat, looking out to sea. She has short grey hair and is wearing a blue and grey shell coat.

As a Breast Cancer Voice, I’ve regained a sense of purpose

After her breast cancer diagnosis, Fiona found support through Breast Cancer Now. Speaking to people who understood helped her cope througho...

Graham and his daughter running the London Marathon, they're both wearing pink Breast Cancer Now running vests. Graham is holding a microphone and has a karaoke machine strapped to him in a harness. A large ship is in the background.

My favourite thing about running karaoke marathons is the look on people’s faces

Graham has been singing karaoke while running marathons for 10 years. In recognition of his hard work, Graham has recently won the Fundraise...

Helen, who has light blonde hair, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a red dress with a white flower pinned to the chest, pearl earrings and a gold necklace that says 'Helen'.

My advice to anyone considering breast reconstruction

Helen shares her experience with breast reconstruction, including her difficulties with the expander implant. Since having a DIEP flap recon...

Suzanne stood in a garden, holding a young girl in her arms and smiling at the camera. Suzanne is wearing blue jeans and a grey hoodie.

I wanted immediate reconstruction because I couldn’t imagine having part of me missing

When Suzanne was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, the news came as a huge shock. After coming to terms with her diagnosis, she opted fo...

Richard, who has short grey hair, sat outside on a black chair, with trees behind him

It's important that we keep banging the drum for breast cancer in men

When Richard was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, he had no idea that men could get breast cancer too. Now, he volunteers with Breast C...

Vivien and her friend together in a busy shopping mall

One day, I hope secondary breast cancer won’t cut anyone’s life short

In 2013, Vivien was diagnosed with primary breast cancer. She eventually got the all-clear, but several years later, she got the news that t...

Lauren, who has shoulder length brown hair and is wearing a patterned top, holding a glass award and smiling. Text on the award reads "Breast Cancer Now - Tracey Williams Outstanding Volunteer Award 2024"

This award is for all the inspirational people I’ve met while volunteering

After her breast cancer diagnosis at age 28, Lauren was determined to help others like her. She became one of our patient advocates and went...

People acted like I was getting a ‘free boob job’

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Carlie-Ann had breast reconstruction in her early 30s. She talks about the ups and downs of her ex...

Yoga was my lifeline after treatment for breast cancer

Marcia was diagnosed with breast cancer at 32. After going through treatment, she decided to try yoga to help with her mental and physical r...

Sarah, wearing a bright red jacket and holding a walking stick, stood in front of the coast

As Breast Cancer Voices, our experiences and our stories make a difference

Sarah has always wanted to improve things for people diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. She has thrown herself into being a Breast Canc...

Sarah and her family at Disney land in front of the castle

My secondary breast cancer diagnosis has made me appreciate life so much more

Sarah’s life went back to normal after she finished treatment for primary breast cancer. But just 19 months later, she received a secondary ...

I love using my experiences to help improve support in the future

As a Breast Cancer Voice, Julie uses her experiences to advocate for others and improve researchers’ understanding of breast cancer.

Being an Indian girl, I didn't know anyone who had gone through breast cancer

Watch a video of Kreena talking about overcoming taboos and why she wants to share her story of hope.

Coral wearing a Breast Cancer Now t-shirt

As a Breast Cancer Voice, it’s great to see our ideas being implemented

Coral is a part of our Here for You project group. She talks to us about what she’s achieved with the group so far and why she’s one of our ...

Anjli stood in front of a view of a green valley and a river

As a Voice, I get to contribute my whole self to improving things for others

Anjli uses her experience and skills to make sure that younger women of South Asian descent are represented in our work.

Sarah at her 30th birthday party with a white cake and big golden balloons

I want to help other young women feel less lonely

Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29. She tells us what it’s like to have breast cancer as a young woman and what she’s d...

Sharing my story helps me make sense of it all

After recovering from cancer as a teenager, Claire was diagnosed with breast cancer. With the help of Breast Cancer Now’s services, she rega...

Connecting with people my age gave me hope

Charlie was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. She took part in our course for younger women with breast cancer and co-created a...

Fiona, a middle-aged woman with blonde hair, smiles during a hike in the great outdoors. She is wearing a blue top, light-coloured shorts, sunglasses and is holding hiking sticks.

Fiona raises her voice to help others with breast cancer

After treatment for lobular breast cancer, Fiona wanted to challenge herself. She got involved with Breast Cancer Voices and is now using he...

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