Breast Cancer Now did so much to help me physically and mentally through my treatment
Tracy Armstrong was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of 2019. After three operations, and with the COVID-19 pandemic creating even mo...
Chemotherapy took so much from me, but I’ve found a way to take back control
While going through treatment for stage three breast cancer, Bal experienced hair loss, fatigue and ongoing brain fog. Thanks to support and...
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...
My secondary breast cancer was misdiagnosed as a chest infection
When Joy initially started experiencing symptoms of secondary breast cancer, her doctors thought it was asthma-related. A decade later, she ...
After being part of a medical trial, I now help to approve future clinical trials for breast cancer patients
Opting to take part in a clinical trial has helped Hilary to realise the importance of research and motivated her to do more to represent pa...
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 ...
I used to think I was a victim of secondary breast cancer, now I see myself thriving
Jennifer struggled when she was diagnosed with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer, but has worked hard to change her attitude and to advoc...
A year after a clear mammogram, I had grade 3 cancer in my breast and lymph nodes
Vicks' diagnosis was a shock, and she found it difficult to manage treatment on top of being a single mum and starting a new job. Thankfully...
Being diagnosed with breast cancer while supporting a young family changed everything
When Dawn was diagnosed with breast cancer, she worried about how her young daughter, Eve, might react.
It took 6 months for doctors to diagnose me with secondary breast cancer
Aliya experienced a long delay when seeking help for her secondary (metastatic) breast cancer symptoms. By speaking about her experience, sh...
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...
I hid my breast cancer diagnosis for years, but now I’m speaking out to help others
When Zahida discovered she had cancer, it was difficult to find support amongst friends and family because it was seen as a taboo topic. She...
Getting breast cancer led me back into writing and onto a new career path
Jo discovered she had breast cancer and was a carrier of an altered BRCA2 gene. She had always enjoyed writing but after diagnosis she turne...
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.
Having cancer 4 times over 17 years has given me a greater awareness of life
Angela was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1989. Since then, she has done what she can to help others by volunteering and raising mone...
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 had to learn to be my own advocate when I had breast cancer
Verite was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, but still has side effects of treatment today. She explains here the importance of speaking...
We shouldn’t think of breast cancer as a woman’s disease
10 years ago, Tony discovered he had breast cancer. Since then, he’s got involved with Breast Cancer Now to make other men aware of the risk...
After losing two loved ones and developing breast cancer myself, I wanted to educate others
Breast cancer has been in Bami’s life ever since her mother was diagnosed. She uses her experience to make others aware of symptoms.
Having secondary breast cancer does not make me brave, but I have been able to live well with my diagnosis
Jane was initially diagnosed with breast cancer 14 years ago, then found out she had secondary breast cancer in 2012. She tells us about wha...
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...
People with secondary breast cancer can still live a relatively normal life
When Sue was initially diagnosed with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer, she was told she may only have a year to live. Five years on, sh...
Losing my hair and my breast at 24 made me feel so alien
When Sacha was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, she felt isolated. Through social media, she was able to find support – and now hopes...
Before my diagnosis, I was terrified of developing breast cancer
Anne was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her mum had finished treatment. Despite her fears, she felt supported throughout and bey...
Waiting to know what type of cancer I had left me completely terrified
Catrina, a writer and artistic director, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of last year. These excerpts from her blog show the tur...
Breast cancer stripped me of everything, but I felt born again
When Nina began treatment for breast cancer at the age of 36, she saw her body change drastically. As she began to recover, she discovered a...
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.
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 ...
My wife was given 6 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...
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...
When our older sister passed away from breast cancer, we wanted to do something in her memory
When their older sister, Susan, was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2016, Carol and Lisa began fundraising. They continue their ef...
Being diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age made it hard to find support
When Beth was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33, she struggled to find other patients her age. After joining the Younger Women Together co...
I regret my breast reconstruction decision, and I want other women to know their options
Gina was offered a single mastectomy with reconstruction after her breast cancer diagnosis in May last year but has regrets about the outcom...
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...
Nobody talks about feeling self-conscious about your body after breast cancer
Kate and Sarah became friends after being diagnosed with breast cancer around the same time in 2018. They faced a lot of the same problems d...
I've had to go through a lot of treatment on my own, but I feel really positive
When Deb was diagnosed with DCIS last year, she didn’t panic. Now, she’s just finished radiotherapy – and she explains why she’s still feeli...
It took time, but I have now accepted breast cancer as part of my story
Tracy was diagnosed with breast cancer following a mammogram, and felt challenged by treatment side effects. Over time, she has been able to...
Opting for a double mastectomy was one of the hardest decisions of my life
After finding she carried the altered BRCA1 gene, Chantal made the decision to have a double mastectomy. She tells us why she feels it was r...
I may have secondary breast cancer, but hope keeps me going
Natasha was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at the age of 43. She tells us about her experience of being diagnosed and living with se...
For the first time since my secondary diagnosis, I am being relentlessly kind to myself
After being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, Sherin lost her usual zest for life. Thankfully, she’s now rediscovered it – but it came...
There is still room for hope with a secondary breast cancer diagnosis
Anna, a 53-year-old mother of two, has been living with secondary breast cancer since 2017. Here, she talks about how her life has changed –...
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.
I needed emergency surgery after my secondary symptoms were ignored for so long
Gillian was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in January 2020. She tells us about the difficulties she faced getting diagnosed and what...
When I had a recurrence, I was forced to face my greatest fear
Lucy was just 28 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. She faced a recurrence only 3 years later. She’s now taking part in a clin...
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...
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.
Cancer made me realise who my true friends were
When Aurelie was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 40, only a few of her friends stuck around for support. Thankfully, she found so...
As a widow, my first thoughts when I was diagnosed were for my children
Last year, Francesca was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had lost her husband five years before and struggled with handling treatment duri...
I was working as a palliative care nurse when I found out I had secondary breast cancer
Rachel, a married mum of three, was diagnosed with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer in 2018. She tells us about her experience of living...
I love my body after having a double mastectomy
When Carly first got breast cancer, she decided she’d have a double mastectomy if it ever recurred. However, when that happened, she was met...