Ringing the end of treatment bell at the Lister Hospital
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 53, following a routine mammogram. I’d had absolutely no symptoms, and my diagnosis came out of the blue.
I’m taking on the Full Moon (26.2 miles) at The MoonWalk London 2026 to raise awareness about the huge importance of attending your mammogram appointment and also to give something back.
I had my first routine mammogram when I was 50, and it was totally clear. Three years later, I was called for my second one, and I thought absolutely nothing of it, as the date approached. My wife Wendy and I actually went along for our mammograms together on the same day.
I’d always checked my breasts regularly, thought I knew what to look out for and hadn’t felt any sort of lump or other changes.
I was perfectly healthy and looking forward to a normal year ahead. Then, not long after my appointment, I received a recall letter in the post, asking me to come back for another mammogram. My immediate thought was that it wasn’t good news.
The radiographers had detected a small lump in my left breast and, following a second scan, I was told that I had lobular breast cancer. It was a huge bolt from the blue, as there was no history at all of breast cancer in our family. Part of me felt foolish for missing potential signs, but I now know that the type of breast cancer I had doesn’t form hard lumps, which I had always thought was the case in breast cancer. When my doctors showed me where it was, it didn’t feel hard or anything like a lump at all – more like slightly thickened tissue.
Part of me also felt hugely relieved at the timing of my mammogram – it was February 2022 and not long after Covid. During lockdown, so many people didn’t have the opportunity to have their mammograms when they should have. I’m so lucky that mine was done during the time frame that it was.
The same day that I received my breast cancer diagnosis, I had further tests and a week later was told that one lymph node had active cancer cells and then 4 weeks later that my cancer was HER2-positive, which is unusual for lobular breast cancer. Because of these results, my treatment plan had to change and instead of having the planned surgery to have my lump and lymph nodes removed, I would be having seven rounds of quite strong chemotherapy first, to try and reduce the size of my lump.
My first round of chemotherapy
The chemo didn’t actually start for another month and it was really tough waiting for it to get underway, which it did in May. All that time, I was fearing that the cancer would grow bigger and might spread around my body while I waited and had chemotherapy, but I had to trust the professionals and the new plan.
I wanted to take back some control, so ahead of my chemo starting, and knowing that my hair would fall out during it, our lovely neighbour (a hairdresser) gave me a buzz cut.
The chemo which followed was tough – with all the fatigue which came with it – and lasted until the August. It was a feeling of such huge relief when I rang the end of chemo treatment bell at the Lister Hospital Macmillian Cancer Centre.
I finally had my surgery in October. My treatment continued with radiotherapy in December 2022 and then preventative treatment to hopefully stop my cancer coming back taking one of the drugs – a targeted therapy and chemotherapy combination drug called Kadcyla. I needed to keep my PICC line in my arm for this – a PICC line is a long, thin, flexible tube inserted into a vein in the upper arm and threaded to a large vein in the chest, near the heart. It allows for long-term intravenous treatments and for taking blood samples without repeated needle sticks. I had mine in for around 14 months in total, which was hard. It meant not having any baths and wearing a plastic sleeve when having a shower. I also couldn’t do many of the hobbies I loved, including gardening, and I couldn’t lift anything either, because I needed to totally protect my arm. It was great to have it removed in July 2023.
With my cat Poppy during chemo and on my first walk after the operation, rocking my post-op drain bag
I’ve also been having six monthly infusions of a drug which protects my bones – my last one is on 6th October 2025 and it will be quite a monumental day, as I’ll be saying goodbye to the cancer suite at the hospital.
My final preventative treatment is the anti-oestrogen tablets which I’ll take for seven years in total, I’m already three years in.
The time since my diagnosis has been a very long haul, both my active treatment for the cancer and the preventative drugs I’ve taken since. I went from feeling very fit and healthy to feeling quite ropey and ill at times. But I know it’s all been necessary, basically because I didn’t want to die and I still have a lot of living to do!
I do occasionally worry about whether the cancer might come back, but then I realise how lucky I was that my cancer was caught at an early stage 2 by my mammogram and that I had so many treatment options.
I also feel so fortunate to have a fantastic, supportive wife and amazing friends and family, who have all helped me through this. I used to be a Health Professional and it was quite an adjustment to let go of control and to suddenly be a patient.
I’ve always wanted to take part in The MoonWalk, but previously life had always got in the way. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer myself, it gave me the final push I needed! I feel so fortunate to be here, walking, enjoying life and making more memories and able to take part in an event like this to help other people.
I’m excited, but also a little bit daunted, that what has happened to me over the last few years has been the catalyst for me signing up for a marathon, my first one at the age of 57. Maybe it’ll open the floodgates and I’ll do more, but for now, I’m aiming for just the one! Training for The MoonWalk will also be a huge goal as I continue my journey back towards full fitness.
By taking on the Full Moon (26.2 miles) with my wonderful friend Jan, it will be my big chance to give something back. I’ll be raising money so that others are also able to ring the bell and celebrate the end of their treatment.
Walking with my wife Wendy and my good friend Jan, who I’m doing The MoonWalk with
I want to help ensure that treatment for breast cancer continues to evolve and that over time, the impact of a breast cancer diagnosis is reduced.
Most importantly, I want to raise awareness about the importance of attending routine mammogram appointments. The people doing the scanning are lovely and will definitely put you at your ease. I was lucky that my cancer was caught early, simply because I attended my mammogram appointment. Although that led to a long journey, pre and post chemotherapy, which was daunting and at times tough going, this and the mammogram saved my life, for which I will be eternally grateful.”
Thank you for sharing your story Liz and such an important awareness message.
We look forward to seeing you and Jan at The MoonWalk London 2026!