We laughed and we cried, and we learned about moving on with life
Age 53, Ruth is a primary school teacher with 2 daughters aged 21 and 24. We asked Ruth about her diagnosis and how she adjusted to her new ...
When I felt scared and confused, Breast Cancer Now was my lifeline
Bonita was left in the dark about a lump that turned out to be breast cancer. Later on, she turned to us for the reassurance and information...
Feeling alone and a little lost after breast cancer, Jo signed up to our Moving Forward course
After breast cancer treatment, Jo was worried about leaving her hospital team, who had been her ‘security blanket.’ To get the support she n...
Using the nurse helpline made me feel like someone cared and understood, I cried with relief
When she felt worried and alone, Cath reached out to our nurse helpline for the advice and reassurance she needed. Our helpline is here for...
I was always the caregiver in my family. When I got breast cancer, I had to learn how to be cared for
Julia had several unexpected hospital treatments when she had breast cancer. She learned how to let herself be cared for, and how to better ...
Someone Like Me helped me stay positive during the worst parts of treatment
On Valentine’s Day, all of Louisa's plans came crashing down when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Our Someone Like Me service was ther...
I was diagnosed 15 months after losing my husband to cancer
When Judi found out she had breast cancer in January 2021, she worried about navigating treatment alone. More than anything, she needed to f...
I wanted to create a magazine to empower women of colour with cancer
Rachel, our senior clinical nurse specialist, chats to Leanne Pero, founder of Black Women Rising, about the magazine she hopes will help BA...
After my breast cancer diagnosis, I needed a place to share my difficult thoughts
When Irene was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2020, she was so grateful for all her family support. However, she also needed to sp...
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...
The Pink Ribbon Walk was the highlight of my year
Inspired by her friend’s diagnosis, Charlotte has been involved in all sorts of fundraising. She recently entered the Pink Ribbon Walk and h...
Volunteering at the Pink Ribbon Walk was wonderful
After her treatment for primary breast cancer, Priya wanted to give something back. She told us what it was like to volunteer at the Pink Ri...
We all have our own stories but we’re walking for the same goal
After her sisters’ breast cancer diagnoses and her own mastectomy, Nikki took part in the Pink Ribbon Walk. She tells us about her amazing, ...
After my treatment, I found it hard to re-adjust
After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Aisling found it difficult to adjust to a new pace of life. Now, she feels she's made progress.
The hardest part was when my breast cancer treatment finished
When Jenny was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of 2019, her treatment went by in a blur. After it was finished, she suddenly felt lo...
This World Cancer Day, I'm standing with everyone affected by a cancer diagnosis
Sara never expected breast cancer to happen to her. This World Cancer Day, she’s helping to spread the message that you’re not alone after a...
Help Joanna say 'goodbye breasts!'
After getting her second breast cancer diagnosis in 2020, Joanna produced a documentary and art installation about her breast cancer experie...
I sought medical help for years before finally being diagnosed with breast cancer
Despite multiple visits to GPs, Nicky was told for more than a year that the change in her breast was nothing to worry about. She tells us a...
Having breast cancer has given me a new zest for life
When she was diagnosed 5 years ago, Fran decided to approach her treatment with positivity. Now she looks back at the things that helped her...
After my cancer diagnosis, I started a care package charity for people in treatment
Oa set up littlelifts as a way of supporting people in active cancer treatment. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she is still making sure p...
My diagnosis is a part of who I am now
Isla was diagnosed while on holiday in Japan. She wrote a book about her experience, and shares how her breast cancer diagnosis has shaped h...
I'm afraid to celebrate the end of my treatment
Emma, who recently finished treatment, shares how she is managing her emotions and why it's important to take time for herself.
It’s been a year since my diagnosis, and this is what I’ve learnt
Exactly 1 year on since she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Anita looks back on her journey and how far she still has yet to go.
I didn’t think I could cope going back to work
Kaz struggled with anxiety when she returned to work after treatment. She shares how she transitioned back to the workplace, and how a new-f...
In a way, my breast cancer diagnosis has been a kind of rebirth for me
When Kimi was diagnosed with breast cancer, she immediately reacted with acceptance. Her attitude of ‘kicking cancer’s butt’ has already got...
I love spreading awareness in local communities
Hedwig started volunteering with us in 2014. For the past 10 years, she’s been delivering talks to groups across the UK as a public health v...
Why I chose to get a mastectomy tattoo
When Liz decided to cover her mastectomy scar with a tattoo, she didn’t know where to begin. Her tattoo artist Shirley helped Liz restore he...
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 want people to see the true picture of cancer
In 2013, Esther had a mastectomy to treat primary breast cancer. Following a secondary (metastatic) breast cancer diagnosis earlier this yea...
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...
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 advice to anyone considering breast reconstruction
Helen shares her experience with breast reconstruction, including her difficulties with the expander implant. Since having a DIEP flap recon...
I wanted immediate reconstruction because I couldn’t imagine having part of me missing
When Suzanne was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, the news came as a huge shock. After coming to terms with her diagnosis, she opted fo...
People acted like I was getting a ‘free boob job’
After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Carlie-Ann had breast reconstruction in her early 30s. She talks about the ups and downs of her ex...
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 ...
Tips for managing lymphoedema
Tamsin developed lymphoedema after finishing chemotherapy for a breast cancer recurrence. She shares her top tips for managing the condition...
Yoga was my lifeline after treatment for breast cancer
Marcia was diagnosed with breast cancer at 32. After going through treatment, she decided to try yoga to help with her mental and physical r...
After brain surgery and chemotherapy, I have gained appreciation for what I am capable of
When she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at 25, Fran put her all into building and maintaining her physical strength.
5 tips for coping with breast radiotherapy
Laura, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 29, went through a course of 33 radiotherapy sessions, here she offers her advice for anyone ...
Clare’s top tips for coping with radiotherapy
When Clare found out she needed radiotherapy, she tried to prepare herself as much as possible. She shares her top tips for coping with radi...
How to manage menopausal symptoms in the heat
Managing the side effects of hormone therapies like tamoxifen can be challenging. Helen shares her tips for managing menopausal symptoms in ...
Why I got a tattoo to cover my mastectomy scar
Kerry Allison hated looking at her mastectomy scar. But 2 years after her breast cancer diagnosis, she found an artistic way to regain her s...
In 2020, I was given 2 years to live. This year, my scans show that I’ve had a complete response to treatment
When Fran was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at 25, she was determined to defy the prognosis she’d been given. After surgery, chemot...
I thought I was too young to get breast cancer
Shayna was just 25 years old when she found out she had triple negative breast cancer. Now, she wants other young women to know about the wa...
I lost my mum to breast cancer when I was 7, then I was diagnosed 20 years later
Nicole was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 27. She speaks about losing her mum to the disease, and her hopes of o...
Despite a family history of breast cancer, I never properly checked myself
Jo was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump by chance. She tells us about her treatment, the help she received from Breast Canc...
Why I started the Younger Breast Cancer Network
When Victoria Yates was diagnosed with breast cancer at 36, she found the fear isolation and sense of guilt overwhelming. She now helps youn...
I was young so cancer wasn't on my radar
Just by chance, Stacey came across a lump in her armpit. After months of putting it off, she had it checked out and got the news she had pri...
Jessica understands more than ever the importance of checking your breasts
After finding a lump by chance, Jessica realised ‘more than ever how important it is to check your breasts regularly.’
Getting breast cancer at 26 has turned my life upside down
When Tabby found a lump in her breast, she immediately feared the worst. Since starting treatment, she feels positive about the future.