Personal stories

My mama’s cancer has come back, so I am raising money for people like her

In the last two years, 11-year-old Oscar has raised around £4,000 for charity. He tells us why fundraising for breast cancer research is so ...

It was a tough decision, but I decided I’d rather have no breasts than just one

Danni had a difficult time in chemotherapy when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 31, and faced more hurdles when it came to surgery. ...

I started volunteering after my breast cancer diagnosis, and now I work for Breast Cancer Now

When Tracey first got in touch with Breast Cancer Now, it was as a participant on the Younger Women Together course. Over the years, she beg...

Waiting for reconstruction has been hard, but I’ve got through it with humour

Carole was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 37. After a tough experience with chemotherapy, she’s also had to wait a long time for ...

Cancer isn’t something we speak about in my community

When Kendra was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, she found it difficult to talk about – especially with her family. She explains about ...

Drugs have allowed my sister to live with secondary for seven years – but more research is needed

Johnny is doing the £1,000 challenge with the aim of raising money for people like his sister, Geraldine. This is his message for anyone els...

My wife was given six months to live the same month we found out our daughter was pregnant

Shirley was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2016, but sadly passed away in 2020. Her husband, Bob, tells us about how one of her l...

Leaving a gift in my will is not just for my legacy, but also the legacy of the dear friend I lost to breast cancer

A decade ago, Wendy's friend, Clare, died from secondary breast cancer. She talks about how it felt to receive the news, and why she has dec...

After seeing everything my mum went through, I've been inspired to help

After her mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, Anna decided to fundraise for other women like her.

Volunteering

By giving back I’ve turned my negative experience of cancer into a huge positive

After being told she had an aggressive form of early cancer in 2018, Paulette stayed upbeat thanks to the support she received. Her path to ...

Volunteering helps the people I work with, but it's also been invaluable to me

Amanda, a retired radiographer who sadly lost her daughter to breast cancer, has been volunteering with university students to share her kno...

I used to be happy with my body, but cancer made me hate the way I look

After going through chemotherapy, radiotherapy and two breast reconstructions, Sukhy lost her former body confidence and self-esteem. Over t...

My body confidence plummeted after having breast cancer, but now it’s better than ever before

When Cassie went through breast cancer treatment at 34, it changed how she felt about her body. She challenged herself to build back her con...

It’s been difficult for us all, but we still talk about their mum every day

Martim’s wife, Celina, passed away in 2020, just one year after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Suddenly a single dad to four ...

It’s important to have some light-hearted fun when dealing with a serious issue like breast cancer

In order to raise money for Breast Cancer Now, Dawn arranged some sponsored walks for herself and her friends. She shares her experience wit...

I didn’t realise the connection between my symptoms and breast cancer

Joy Knott has been living with secondary breast cancer since 2011. She tells us about the difficulties she faced getting diagnosed and the i...

Right up until the end of her life, Emma was thinking of others and how she could help

Emma’s last wish was to raise money so that other people wouldn’t go through the same experience as her. Lin and Lucy, Emma’s mum and sister...

Some days I can talk about Iris and be fine, but on other days I’m a mess

Barry’s wife, Iris, died at the start of 2020. He tells us about their relationship, her treatment for secondary breast cancer and the amazi...

For a long time, I didn’t want to acknowledge my breast cancer diagnosis. I just wanted to be ‘normal’

When Natasha was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at the age of 43, she tried to keep it at arm’s length. Now, she sees the value of c...

I was at the fittest I’ve ever been – then secondary breast cancer had me at my sickest

Miranda was training for a race when she first started experiencing symptoms of secondary breast cancer. After months of thinking she just h...

COVID-19 meant I had to adapt, but my fundraising was still a huge success

Raising money for breast cancer research and care is a cause close to Saneeta's heart. This is how she managed to continue her fundraising d...

My mum hid her breast cancer symptoms for so long – by the time she was diagnosed, it was already too late

Chris’ mum, Gill, died of secondary breast cancer in March this year. He tells us about the wonderful person she was, as well as how he is r...

We turn our golf green into a sea of pink once a year for Breast Cancer Now

Every year, Turnhouse Golf Club hosts a special event to raise money for Breast Cancer Now - and it's always a smashing success!

I remain a positive person, even though my cancer has spread to my brain

Natalie was diagnosed with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer in 2017 and received news it had spread to her brain a year later. She expla...

When my wife died of secondary breast cancer, I felt robbed of a future we could have had

Nick’s wife, Dawn, died just a month after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. He tells us about the life they shared, and how sup...

Even in her final days with breast cancer, Emma was thinking of others

As Philippa and Wilma reflect on their friend Emma and her gregarious way of life, they are grateful to be able to remember her in a way tha...

Hosting a golf fundraiser made me realise how many of us had a connection to breast cancer

When Denise heard about Breast Cancer Now’s golf fundraisers, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to raise money in honour of her sister w...

I lost my sister to secondary breast cancer, but I am continuing what we started together

In 2018, Frances held an Afternoon Tea with her sister, Ange. Sadly, Ange passed away just two months later - but Frances continues to host ...

Even with secondary breast cancer, I am still able to feel ‘normal’

Flora Sheringham is a 73-year-old mother of three and a grandmother of six, and has been living with secondary breast cancer since 2014.

Since my cancer was missed by a mammogram, I’ve been a huge advocate for breast cancer awareness

Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 after her tumour was initially missed by mammogram and ultrasound scans. Since then, she’s bee...

Sometimes I feel guilty if I don’t think about mum for a while, but this gives me a lovely way to remember her

Rich’s mum, Wendy, died of secondary breast cancer in 2016. Since then, he has been fundraising to help others like her, and recently set up...

Losing a dear friend to breast cancer has motivated me to help however I can

Yuki is hosting cooking classes in memory of Irene, who passed away from secondary breast cancer.