Alyson, a retired district nurse, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. She recovered well after treatment but started feeling pain in her hip in 2020. She went to the doctor, but the pain didn’t go away. Now, Alyson is helping us raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of secondary and the importance of speaking to a healthcare professional.
Can you tell us about your primary diagnosis?
In 2016, after a routine aged 53, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 receptor positive breast cancer. I had a , which I recovered from extremely well, and was told the lymph nodes were free from cancer.
My treatment involved 5 weeks of and then 5 years of taking . I took this all in my stride, I recovered well and was given a good prognosis. I called it a bump in the road.
What symptoms of secondary breast cancer did you experience?
At the end of 2020, I started to get pain in my right hip. X rays showed osteoarthritis, a condition that can cause pain and stiffness when the cartilage protecting joints wears away. I did several sessions of physiotherapy and took paracetamol occasionally.
Gradually, the pain got worse. I adapted my lifestyle, changed my car, and stopped certain gym classes. In October 2023, I decided to leave my job and take early retirement to give my leg a rest.
By December 2023, I decided to see a consultant privately, who did a scan on my back. This picked up suspicious lesions on my spine and femur. A later CT scan revealed a cancerous lesion in my liver.
On 13 May 2024, it was confirmed that I had secondary breast cancer.
How did you react to your diagnosis?
The news came as a huge shock. I broke down as I told my husband the news. That was the worst time. I’m a glass half full person, but that was really difficult.
How are you doing now?
I’m still here because of the medication I’m on – a CDK4/6 inhibitor called which blocks the cancer and stops it in its tracks. 5 years ago that medication wasn’t available – it’s only available today because of research.
I walk with a stick, but I’m coping with the life I’ve got now. I swim several times a week and I still go for walks. I look forward, not back. There’s no point in dwelling on the past.
I love travelling and I’m still doing a lot of that. My family are so supportive, and I have loads of brilliant friends that I can offload to.
What advice would you give to other people who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer?
To anyone who’s had a primary breast cancer diagnosis, I’d say to listen to your body. My secondary breast cancer diagnosis wasn’t straightforward. But you should discuss any concerns you have with a healthcare professional.
Know the symptoms of secondary
Most breast cancers don’t come back, but it’s important to know the signs to look out for in case they do. If you spot anything you’re worried about, make sure to get it checked.