I lost my aunt and sister to breast cancer, but I’ve used my own diagnosis to bake for good

My link to cancer started with my family. My aunt had a late breast cancer diagnosis, and she passed in her early 50’s. My other aunt also had a breast cancer diagnosis, which was treated. 

My sister had her first breast cancer diagnosis when she was 36 years old, and then 12 years later it came back. Everyone thought she had beaten it, but it came back in her brain, and she passed at age 50. 

I had my first brush with breast cancer at the end of the pandemic

I was due a normal bi-annual mammogram at our local mobile unit, but we were still in lockdown. 

I received a letter explaining that they were continuing mammograms, but I had to wear a mask and make sure not to come if showing symptoms of Covid. 

It was snowing that day, and I nearly didn’t go

But I went and shivered, and had the mammogram done.

I was called back less than a week later and told to go to the hospital.

My friend dropped me off, I had another mammogram and had a chat with the consultant and breast care nurse about what was showing. They also did a biopsy.

I had a very small tumour

I’m not one to moan, and I think it surprised them when I cracked a joke after they told me my diagnosis. But that’s how I wanted to proceed with my journey.

I had taken a traybake for the nurses that day. I took cookies for my pre-op, then a tray of brownies for operation day. It was a hoot in the ward.

Everything went really fast

I was first on the list, so didn’t have time to panic. 

They were also going to do radiotherapy while I was on the operating table, so hopefully no further work required.

I was home that evening and had no problems at all. My family and friends were all worried, but I felt fine. I know people who’ve travelled this route and had really horrible journeys – it made me feel guilty.

What would have happened if I missed my mammogram?

I seriously thought about missing my first appointment and wonder what would have happened if I did. The tumour wouldn’t have been so small, and things could’ve been very different.

I’m now a big advocate for self-checking and encourage everyone to attend their mammogram appointments.

Throughout my cancer journey I baked

Everyone at the hospital knew me for my bakes. I love cooking and baking and I’ve been doing it since I was around 8 years old, it’s something my mother was keen to show us.

I knew I had to get involved

I found out about Afternoon Tea on social media and saw it was the same month as my birthday! So, that set the date for me... what a great birthday present.

With help from friends, we held an Afternoon Tea at our local church centre. We decorated with bunting, balloons and anything we could put up to make it look fun.

We had sandwiches, home baked scones with cream and jam, a variety of cakes and never-ending tea.

Everyone loved catching up over a cuppa

I had arranged a raffle with some lovely contributions from local businesses and pubs. We played games like 'guess how many phones'.

And there was guess the weight of a cake that a local cake maker made using my 'cupcake' tin. It makes a standard size cake, but the top is in the shape of a cupcake - or if decorated properly it looked like a breast! It got a lot of giggles. And we had some normal size cupcakes that had been decorated the same way.

My top tip is...

Get some good friends to help and really aim to enjoy yourself. If you’re smiling and happy everyone around you will also respond in that way.

I’m getting on with life

The only hiccup is when the mammogram comes around annually, and there’s that little prick of fear of what it’ll show this time.

It’s also difficult when there’s talk of secondary breast cancer. I’m scared and even writing this is bringing a slightly tearful thought of ‘what happens then – will I still be fine?’.

My Afternoon Tea is booked for this year 

I’m looking forward to it. Everyone loved the last one. If you’re thinking of taking part, you should have a go. It’s so much fun and every pound you raise will make a difference.