The emotional and practical support from Living with Secondary Breast Cancer meet-ups was invaluable
When Anne was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, she found it invaluable to meet up with others with the same diagnosis.
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...
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...
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...
People with breast cancer need support – but what about their partners?
Chris’ wife, Miriam, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. When she began supporting others after her treatment, Chris realised that he ...
Being diagnosed just before Christmas was hard, but being out of treatment was even more difficult
Louise found out she had breast cancer after a routine scan last December and began treatment just before Christmas. She reflects on the tou...
The unfairness of waiting two years for a diagnosis turned my world upside down
Nicky struggled with her mental health after breast cancer treatment. She shares what she struggled with, what helped her, and where she is ...
Having a breast cancer diagnosis feels like being put on a train with no idea of the destination
When Nana was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, she felt overwhelmed by uncertainty. She shares how she consciously adopted a po...
I'm sharing my story to remind others to make their health a priority
Meera is 33 years old and having treatment for breast cancer. She has been documenting her story in the hope of reaching other young people ...
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...
There is still a lack of information about BRCA genes – for patients and health professionals
Tony found out he had an altered BRCA2 gene after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. Before that, he had no idea what it could enta...
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...
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...
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 love my body even more since having a mastectomy
When Clare was told she needed a mastectomy, she expected to be upset. Approaching her treatment with positivity, however, she now feels bet...
Hormone treatment can feel daunting, but at least I can use my experience to help with new research
Tracy recently took part in the SWEET project, which hopes to build a new platform of resources for women undergoing long-term hormone thera...
Breast cancer made me feel like I had to rebuild myself
During her recovery from breast cancer treatment, Angela decided to write Rebel Boob, a show about the real-life experiences of women with b...
Going through breast cancer at 24 during COVID was a complicated time
When Lynsey found a lump on her breast, she thought it was just a cyst. She still went to the GP, but her treatment wasn’t as straightforwar...
After treatment, you just want to draw a line under it and move on – but that’s not always possible
Joanne is currently in treatment after receiving a second breast cancer diagnosis. She reflects on the resources she found helpful after her...
My family were amazing, but speaking to other women online made all the difference
When Gaby was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, she found comfort in Breast Cancer Now’s forum. Even now, several years on, she ...
My diagnosis meant I had to shield for 18 weeks, so I used the opportunity for something good
When Julie was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer during lockdown, she wanted to do something to ensure both she and her son staye...
After my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, I needed to know whether I also had the altered BRCA2 gene
Skylar was only 12 when her mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the news had a huge impact on her life. Later on, she began to questio...
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...
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...
It is heart-breaking to sit your children down and tell them you’re going to die
Anita’s husband has been living with a life-limiting illness for a long time, which meant it was especially devastating for her to learn she...
One of the hardest things about going through breast cancer was not being able to be the mum I wanted to be
Jade was only 27 the first time she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and treatment meant she couldn’t care for her young son. When she face...
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...
Dr. Diana Zatreanu: a day in the life of a breast cancer researcher
We caught up with Dr Diana Zatreanu, who works in the Gene Function team based at the Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre at The I...
My breast cancer diagnosis never made me feel like less of a man
Dave has lost several close friends and family members to breast cancer, so was quick to get himself checked. Now, he uses his experience to...
Learning about breast cancer is so important for everyone, not just people who are at higher risk
Nic does not have any personal experience of breast cancer, so she learnt a lot when her company hosted one of Breast Cancer Now’s Public He...
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...
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...
I know I have an altered BRCA2 gene, but I need time to consider my options
After losing her mum to ovarian cancer, Naomi discovered she had inherited an altered BRCA2 gene which increases her risk of breast and ovar...
Unless cancer happens to you, you don’t understand the impact it has
Dawn was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, when her child was just 10 years old. After attending Breast Cancer Now’s support programmes,...
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...
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...
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. ...
Even if one person finds their breast cancer because of me, it will have been worth my time
After seeing her sister and her best friend go through breast cancer years ago, Jackie decided she wanted to help other people learn the ris...
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...
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...
Because I was young, my breast cancer symptoms weren’t taken seriously
Adobea first went to her GP with a lump in 2016, but wasn’t diagnosed with breast cancer until it has already spread. She tells us how cance...
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...
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 ...
There’s no guidebook on how to be a single dad after losing your wife to breast cancer
When Martim’s wife, Celina, died of secondary breast cancer, he initially worried about how he and their four young children would cope. He ...
It is so rewarding to be able to provide the support that I personally missed out on during my breast cancer treatment
When Christianne went through breast cancer as a young mum 20 years ago, she felt isolated. Now, she volunteers to support others like her.
Being miserable wasn’t going to change the fact I had breast cancer, so I chose not to be
When Moke was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, she was committed to keeping her positive attitude – even when she faced complic...
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...
The doctor laughed when I told him about a lump at my mastectomy site. It turned out to be secondary breast cancer
After completing treatment for primary breast cancer, Debi was told very little about the risk of developing secondaries. Then, when she did...
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...
Becoming a volunteer following my diagnosis has helped me readjust to life
After she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Anisa became detached from ‘normal’ life. In her Office Volunteer role with Breast Cancer Now, s...