Clare's story

I’ve worked for a global financial services company for the last 28 years, but I was made redundant at the end of November 2024. Redundancy came out of the blue and hit me hard. And just as I started to think about what I would do next there was something else I never saw coming, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Suddenly, everything related to work felt utterly irrelevant.

I felt a lump in my right breast

It felt like a harmless cyst, but further investigations led to my diagnosis. The radiologist told me that she could see a couple of tiny calcifications on my mammogram. She thought they were probably nothing sinister but got a second radiologist’s opinion.

They decided to investigate further and took biopsies. This is how I got my diagnosis of DCIS and a lumpectomy was planned. But after further mammograms, an ultrasound, an MRI and additional biopsies, I was also diagnosed with multicentric invasive lobular carcinoma. Invasive lobular cancer behaves differently to other breast cancers in that it rarely forms a lump, which is also why I’m keen to spread the ‘Touch, Look, Check’ message about other possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

On 19 December 2024 (2 days before I turned 50) I had a mastectomy. Early January brought wonderful news – the surgery was a complete success, removing all the cancer. It was a relief to hear it hadn't spread to my lymph nodes too. I am now taking Tamoxifen.

I found the Breast Cancer Now booklets massively informative

Throughout the weeks of scans and biopsies, I received numerous Breast Cancer Now booklets from my Breast Care Nurse. They helped me to stay calm!

Even when you are cancer free, you think about it every day

Breast Cancer Now are an incredible charity doing so much research on prevention and early diagnosis, along with treatments to help improve the quality of life of those diagnosed.

They also provide the most fantastic support through their helpline. They connect patients with others who understand. And they make information about every aspect of breast cancer, treatment and beyond easily accessible.

Even when you’ve been told you’re cancer free, you think about it every day and worry that it will return. I signed up to a Moving Forward Course to help me manage my anxieties. It was absolutely fantastic and run by an excellent facilitator and Breast Cancer Now volunteers. We covered lots of helpful content and supported each other throughout the day. It was comforting to speak to others who completely understood what I had gone through.

That’s why taking part in wear it pink is so important. It will help Breast Cancer Now to continue funding their crucial work.

My wear it pink event

I want to encourage my loved ones to be more breast aware, while also raising vital funds for Breast Cancer Now. The charity’s health information helped me while I was going through treatment, and I want to raise money so they can continue providing life-changing care to all those affected by breast cancer. So, I decided to organise a wear it pink event.

I'm an exercise fanatic, so my wear it pink event will include a workout followed by breathwork and stretching. There will be tea and cake, probably some fizz too. I’ll have therapists available for massage, facials, reflexology and mini mani-pedis to relax. For the more adventurous guests, I’ll even have an ice bath! We’ll also have a raffle of wellness prizes.

I want everyone to enjoy every moment, to feel a part of a community of wonderful, supportive people and to leave feeling pampered, relaxed and rejuvenated. I’ll share information so that everyone will be confident in checking their breasts, and know what signs and symptoms to look out for.

My top tip for organising your wear it pink event

My best advice is to start planning early. Make sure you spread the word using social media and keep reminding people about your event. You can get people excited by sharing snippets of what they can expect at your event.

There is hope and positivity when we choose to see it

I feel really proud that I’ve committed my time to spreading the ‘Touch, Look, Check’ message – it could save lives. I got involved with wear it pink because I want to feel like I’ve made a real difference. I want to show people that there is so much hope and positivity when we choose to see it.