I didn't even find a lump

What encouraged you to see your doctor?

I didn't even find a lump. Instead, I found a small, cellulite-like dimple. At the time I thought it may just be ageing skin. We are always told that the earlier you find symptoms, the easier it is to treat. Something niggled at me to get it checked and I remembered from seeing Breast Cancer Now’s Touch Look Check poster in the M&S changing rooms that puckering of skin can be a sign of breast cancer.

Initially my GP couldn't find a lump. Because there was a change, I was referred to hospital and seen within the week. I tried to convince myself this is probably nothing, but there was always doubt at the back of my mind. At my appointment, an examination proved difficult to find anything apart from the dimpling. But after further mammograms and an ultrasound, I knew there was something.

How did you feel when you got diagnosed?

I remember I was the last appointment and the hospital was winding down for the day. I walked in to see my surgeon surrounded by a team of people. I was told quite straight, “It's likely to be cancer. We just don't know what it is yet”. In that moment your world changes.

A week later I got my results on Friday 13 May. Quite an ironic date. My appointment confirmed I had Grade 1, Stage 2 cancer.

The waiting was definitely the worst part. I almost felt some relief now I knew what I was dealing with. I just wanted to start treatment. But as cancer is so different from one person to the next, no treatment is the same.

I was only 43 when I was diagnosed, I was fit and otherwise well, a non-smoker and a non-drinker. There was no history of cancer in my family so to be told I had cancer was a huge shock but also a reminder how common this is.

What treatment did you have?

After 14 appointments to discuss my treatment and do any further tests, I was booked in for surgery in June.

Due to my lump being just under the left breast, they could perform a lumpectomy. The position of the lump meant some skin would be removed, leaving me with a smaller left breast. But we wouldn't know exactly how it would look until I had healed.

Surgery went well, and lymph nodes confirmed it had not spread. A milestone moment.

Did you have any further treatment?

We then had to find out whether I needed chemo or radiotherapy. My tissue was sent for Oncotype DX testing. It came back 3 weeks showing that no chemo was needed which was a huge relief. And another milestone reached.

However, I would need radiotherapy. By September I was still waiting for treatment dates. After such a frantic few weeks leading up to surgery I felt a little in limbo. Now I was just waiting.

They asked if I would travel for radiotherapy. I didn’t mind where I went, I just wanted to get started. Instead of the standard 3 weeks I would only need 5 days of radiotherapy based on the results of the 'fast forward' trial.

What was the radiotherapy like?

Radiotherapy is odd. It's painless. You can just hear the hum of the machine moving over you. The whole process each day would take not more than 20 minutes.

I had some minor side effects like headaches and tiredness but at every session I reminded myself I was lucky to not be having chemo. I was beyond grateful for the treatment being made available to me and how optimistic my outcome was.

I finished my treatment and got to ring my bell. It’s such a surreal moment you see lots on TV and in the news. Now, it was my turn.

How did you feel after your treatment?

I was offered further surgery once fully healed to make my right breast more aligned size-wise to my now smaller left one. After a lot of thought, I felt lucky to have got here with just a small operation and radiotherapy. So for me, I’m happy as I am.

I was put on Tamoxifen for 5 years. I had side effects with these at first, but now I’ve found a brand I seem to get on with better. I do get more tired than I used to, but I know my limits.

At the time, going through cancer felt so long. But for me the total process was 19 weeks, which is pretty impressive given some of the delays the NHS have. I’m forever grateful for this because not everyone has such a positive experience.

I’m now 2 years post treatment and feel well. I have annual checks ups and I have open access to breast care services at hospital should I need it again.

Why do you want to tell your story?

I want to share my experience to give people hope that this is now a very treatable disease. If you find yourself in my situation hearing the words 'you have cancer', it really doesn't need to be the end. Instead, it's the start of an unexpected time, but can be an incredibly positive and life changing one.