Maria was diagnosed with DCIS at the start of the year. Her experience inspired her to raise awareness of DCIS and encourage women to attend breast screening. Now, she’s shaping our work as a Breast Cancer Voice.
Tell us about yourself
I’m Maria. I share my life with my amazing husband, our incredible young daughter, and our gorgeous English Springer Spaniel. As a family we love spending time together outdoors whatever the weather, and importantly we enjoy creating lasting memories together with family and friends.
This may sound idyllic, but it really hasn’t been an easy path. Like many people, we’ve had our resilience tested over the years.
The most significant curveball life has thrown at us was my diagnosis of Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) at the beginning of the year. This truly turned our world upside down.
Tell us about your diagnosis
I was invited to my first screening mammogram in January. I didn’t have any symptoms and I thought it would be a simple process, like it is for the majority of women. I’d had a mammogram a few years prior so I knew the process.
I went to a mobile unit for the screening. I felt comfortable, even though having your breasts manipulated and squashed into different positions isn’t the most enjoyable experience.
2 days later, I had a call asking if I could come back. They’d found abnormalities. At the time, I was on my way to the airport for a holiday, so they booked me in the morning after I got back. The haste concerned me slightly, but I didn’t dwell on it.
What happened at your recall appointment?
On January 20, I went for my second mammogram. My husband came with me to the breast clinic. I was asked to stay for a biopsy and then an appointment with the breast cancer consultant, which sent my mind racing. Some of the darkest and saddest thoughts were coming into mind.
The consultant said they thought I had DCIS. I needed a further biopsy to confirm whether I’d need an operation. I had to stay calm, for me and my family’s sake.
On February 11, I got my diagnosis of DCIS. The consultant said it’s the best one to have, as it’s completely treatable and it’s been caught really early. I needed a to prevent it from progressing into invasive cancer, followed by . I felt a sense of relief, but we still had a mountain to climb.
How was your treatment?
When I got my treatment plan, I wasn’t sure what to think or feel. But we had clarity and I trusted the consultant, who was also going to be my surgeon. I decided to take time off work to focus on my health and particularly support my daughter through this time.
The challenging part for me was what came after. After my lumpectomy, I felt like I was in a holding pattern. I had no idea what was going to happen next or when.
5 weeks after my operation, I got the news that I needed a second lumpectomy. Until then, I’d been healing well and was mentally preparing myself for radiotherapy. When I was told I’d need another operation, it was devastating, but necessary.
After the second operation and completing my radiotherapy in August, the process suddenly ended. It was great, but there was a sense of numbness. My loved ones and I had been on such a rollercoaster, it felt strange.
What information did you have throughout your treatment?
DCIS doesn’t seem to be widely known. I mainly found information on the internet. The leaflets in the hospital focus largely on invasive cancers. This made me feel a little isolated, and in some ways, that my experience was less valid.
I thought if I’m in this position, I’m sure others will be too. I wanted to turn it into a positive by raising awareness of DCIS and the importance of screening and early detection.
How did you raise awareness?
I wanted to spread the message that early screening could potentially save your life. In England from 2023 to 2024, 70% of women took up their breast screening invitation. If 80% had attended screening, it’s estimated that 2,029 more breast cancers would have been found.
Firstly, I posted on my personal social media. The response was overwhelming. People didn’t know about DCIS, or that it could be symptomless.
I thought that if I could save at least one person, it would be worth it. So, I decided to post on my professional social media too. Thousands of people read my post and sent me messages. I had messages from people I’d inspired to book their mammograms and others simply sent me love and support.
What else have you done to support others with breast cancer?
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, everything felt overwhelming. Between appointments, tests, and trying to process what was happening, I often felt like my world had completely shifted and I didn’t have much control over any of it.
Somewhere along the way, I realised I wanted to do something that made a difference — not just for me, but for others going through the same thing. I was researching breast cancer support organisations and I came across Breast Cancer Now. They immediately captured my attention, especially Breast Cancer Voices.
It’s a group of people affected by breast cancer who share their experiences to help shape the charity’s work, from research and support services to awareness campaigns. You can take part in surveys, give feedback, or share your story to help make things better for others.
What do you enjoy about being a Breast Cancer Voice?
What I really like about it is that you can be involved as much or as little as you want. Some days, I just fill in a quick survey from my sofa. There are a variety of opportunities to be involved in.
Joining voices has allowed me to heal my mental health a little. I thought that if I could share my story, hopefully it would resonate with others going through something similar. Even if one person takes action after hearing my story, then that’s one person’s life I may have saved.
Use your voice for change
Breast Cancer Voices shape everything we do at Breast Cancer Now. If you’d like to use your experience of breast cancer to inspire change, then sign up today.