Personal stories

Ann and her daughter reading a book together on a sofa

Losing your hair can leave you feeling extremely vulnerable

When Ann lost her hair due to chemotherapy, she found it difficult. Now it’s grown back, she’s planning on shaving her head to raise money f...

Georgina sat on the sofa, with her black and white cat sleeping next to her. Georgina has red hair and is wearing glasses.

I found out I had breast cancer after a random mammogram trial

Georgina had no history of breast cancer in her family and believed that she was too young to develop the disease when she was diagnosed.

2 photos of Lorraine. In the first, she has no hair, and is smiling at the camera. In the second, she has her arms around her 2 sons who are wearing white shirts, and everyone is smiling.

I put off seeing a doctor because I believed that breast cancer was incurable

When Lorraine found a lump, she thought nothing could be done to help her. After her treatment and recovery, she turned her attention to hel...

Fenjal ambassador, Marie, on her breast cancer story, and our partnership with Fenjal

Marie reached out to us for support after her breast cancer diagnosis, and she’s now one of our incredible supporters. Being a Fenjal ambsas...

Lorraine smiling and holding a mug of tea

When I first noticed a change in my breast, I thought nothing of it

Lorraine’s breast cancer symptoms were not what she expected, so she didn’t see a doctor. When she was eventually diagnosed, she worried it ...

I was scared to check my breasts

Della was diagnosed in 2010. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month she’s working to increase awareness and improve care for women with breast c...

I was lucky to notice the lump when I did – otherwise it could have been a different story

Shortly after New Year, Rashmi received a triple negative breast cancer diagnosis. Almost a year on, she has finished treatment and is urgin...

Breast cancer made me realise how important friendship is

As part of M&S and Breast Cancer Now’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, 11 women share their stories of the surprising and invaluable...

Julie out running near a river wearing a pink Breast Cancer Now vest

I took on a 100k running challenge while undergoing chemotherapy

Julie was diagnosed with breast cancer in the midst of the pandemic, and took on the 100k challenge while having treatment.

Lauren Mcdonald smiling, next to some medical equipment

I can’t control if my cancer comes back

When Lauren’s treatment finished she thought she’d be overjoyed, but instead struggled with anxiety.

It may sound weird, but I almost enjoyed the time I had during my cancer treatment

Catherine was determined to stay positive during her breast cancer treatment. She filled her time with friends and family, and now uses that...

Raising awareness of breast cancer in British Asian women

After her own diagnosis, Farhana Alam was keen to get the subject of breast cancer out in the open and make other British Asian women more b...

Trisha Goddard: running helped me through breast cancer

Talk show host Trisha Goddard reveals how running helped her through treatment for breast cancer.

At Christmas we decorate Lisa's grave and leave money to her Fund in Memory

Ian’s wife Lisa recovered from breast cancer, but died in 2017 from a neuroendocrine cancer. Since establishing Lisa’s Fund in Memory, Ian a...

Alison Keenan: adjusting to life after breast cancer

QVC presenter Alison Keenan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. She modelled for us in The Show 2012 in London. She talks about adjust...

Kerry is a white women with small face and features. She wears black rectangular glasses and a pink headscarf for her hair loss.

My son ran 30 miles in a month

After her diagnosis, Kerry’s son ran a mile a day, for a month, as part of our Run 30 miles fundraising challenge.

Fiona on the deck of a boat, looking out to sea. She has short grey hair and is wearing a blue and grey shell coat.

As a Breast Cancer Voice, I’ve regained a sense of purpose

After her breast cancer diagnosis, Fiona found support through Breast Cancer Now. Speaking to people who understood helped her cope througho...

Sarah, wearing a bright red jacket and holding a walking stick, stood in front of the coast

As Breast Cancer Voices, our experiences and our stories make a difference

Sarah has always wanted to improve things for people diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. She has thrown herself into being a Breast Canc...

Coral wearing a Breast Cancer Now t-shirt

As a Breast Cancer Voice, it’s great to see our ideas being implemented

Coral is a part of our Here for You project group. She talks to us about what she’s achieved with the group so far and why she’s one of our ...

I love using my experiences to help improve support in the future

As a Breast Cancer Voice, Julie uses her experiences to advocate for others and improve researchers’ understanding of breast cancer.

Anjli stood in front of a view of a green valley and a river

As a Voice, I get to contribute my whole self to improving things for others

Anjli uses her experience and skills to make sure that younger women of South Asian descent are represented in our work.

I may have secondary breast cancer, but there are still so many things in my life that make me feel lucky

Anna is 54 and developed primary breast cancer 10 years ago. She was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer of the liver and bones five year...

Linda smiling and wearing a flowery shirt

I wanted to use my breast cancer experience to educate others, and ended up helping myself unexpectedly

After Linda was treated for DCIS, she wanted to give back and help improve services for future patients. She’s now a Patient Advocate with B...

Since losing my youngest child to breast cancer, I have done all I can to support Breast Cancer Now

For almost two decades, Amanda has worked tirelessly in so many areas of Breast Cancer Now. She gives us an insight into her work and imagin...

Being a voice is so empowering and allows you to give back

When the pandemic made things lonely, Trisha used our helpline and Someone Like Me service for the support she needed during treatment. Afte...

Louise shares why she was inspired to support us and what it's like to be a Voice

Louise turned to Breast Cancer Now for support during a lonely time, mid-pandemic. To give back, she got involved in volunteering opportunit...

Why being a Voice is important to Fola

We asked Fola about her diagnosis, why she became a Breast Cancer Voice, and her favourite moment from our Voices network to date. Our net...

I jump at the chance to take part in research

When she was 59, Debbie was diagnosed with primary breast cancer. She decided to join Breast Cancer Voices to be part of the community and p...

Coral uses her voice to shape the future of our services

Coral joined Breast Cancer Voices to get more involved in our work. We asked about her breast cancer experience and the opportunities she’s ...

Fiona, a middle-aged woman with blonde hair, smiles during a hike in the great outdoors. She is wearing a blue top, light-coloured shorts, sunglasses and is holding hiking sticks.

Fiona raises her voice to help others with breast cancer

After treatment for lobular breast cancer, Fiona wanted to challenge herself. She got involved with Breast Cancer Voices and is now using he...

Breast cancer made my confidence hit the floor, but I used my experiences to help other women enjoy intimacy and feel sexy again

After lobular breast cancer, Darlaine felt alone and wasn’t prepared for her ‘confidence to hit the floor.’ After receiving support from Br...

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