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

Could you tell us about your diagnosis?

I was diagnosed with grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) in March 2022 at the age of 42. With no family history, it was completely unexpected.

I’d successfully moved myself and my family halfway around the world during COVID and was ready to begin a new chapter in my life. Little did I know that the new chapter would include cancer, COVID and a year of doctors, nurses, surgery, chemotherapy and regular post-treatment hospital visits.

I did meet new people, make new friends and see new places, but they were all hospital staff, hospitals and clinics.

I love travelling and was excited to be in London. We had plans to see musicals, visit castles, go on treks and much more. As a family, we were all excited to discover Britain and all it had to offer.

None of that has changed. We had to delay our plans, but since my treatment, we’ve watched a Centre Court match at Wimbledon, “met” the Beatles and, in the football, welcomed the cups back to Manchester and seen Chelsea women win the final.

What got you interested in volunteering?

During my treatment, I learned about the wonderful work Breast Cancer Now and other charities were doing for patients from information booklets to personalised support.

I knew I wanted to get involved in some way once my treatment was over. I was determined that my diagnosis and experience would help others in some way.

When I finished treatment, I began to notice the lack of support for patients once we’re put on open access care or "sent back" to our GPs. We're all warned about it, but you don't understand it until it happens.

I joined online support communities, like Life After Cancer and Menopause and Cancer. I became aware of so many other issues, from geographical disparities in diagnosis and treatment experience for breast cancer patients, to the sheer number of women, young and old, who were in the same boat as me.

There’s so much power in being part of a community. It literally helped me get back on my feet: I went from not being able to get out of bed in November to walking around Manchester the next May and hiking in the Lake District in July.

How did you become a Breast Cancer Voice?

It was after a scare in my 2nd year scans that I began to look for ways in which to get involved to make a difference. I discovered the 'Voices' section of Breast Cancer Now on their website.

Intrigued, I signed up. Immediately my world opened up to all the different projects, from surveys, to research, to insight and lived experience groups. The best part was when the Here For You team invited me to join their lived experience panel last July.

When I decide to do something, I go all in. No hesitating, no thinking.

Before I knew it, I was meeting the wonderful Here For You team, sharing my thoughts on the Big Breast Cancer Survey and participating in research.

I never would have thought how influential lived experience could be. And it hasn't been just about our lived experience. I’ve supported the team in hiring new members, provided feedback on messaging for the Little Lifts packages, advised on emails that are sent out to new patients opting into support from Breast Cancer Now and many other projects.

I also took part in a panel discussion at the Breast Cancer Now conference with 2 other courageous, beautiful, wonderful women. We shared our thoughts on what’s going well and where the future focus of the charity needs to be.

How has being a Voice impacted you?

Among all the things I do day-to-day, knowing that I can use my voice and experience to help create change, even in the smallest way, makes it all worth it. It stops me from going down the rabbit hole of "why?" and helps me focus on growth and resilience.

Louder Voices has been my mindset and empowerment coach in ways that I could not have been for myself. Every month, when I learn about how the team is working to create a positive change, it gives me hope. We are changing the statistics, reaching more people and making an impact.

Being a Voice doesn't require anything more than having been impacted by cancer, either personally or through someone you love. If you've experienced it, you have a voice. And if you'd like to share, then Breast Cancer Now is ready to listen and do something about it.