Emma marks ten years since her breast cancer diagnosis, by completing The MoonWalk Iceland

Emma (right) at the finish line of The MoonWalk Iceland

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, at the age of just 35. I took part in The MoonWalk Iceland earlier this year with a wonderful group of friends and family, to mark 10 years since my diagnosis and to celebrate being alive!

Before I was diagnosed, I wasn’t really in the habit of checking my breasts regularly – I just did it every now and then. I remember getting back from holiday and standing in front of the mirror to see whether I’d tanned at all – I’m very fair skinned! However, when I looked in the mirror, I noticed that my left breast was a bit lower than the other one and it just didn’t seem quite right.

Although I couldn’t feel a lump, I made an appointment with my GP straight away, as I wanted to get my breast checked out. My doctor did find a lump and referred me straightaway for more tests.

L-R Jo and Emma at The MoonWalk London 2015

My mother-in-law Jo came with me to get my results. I remember us sitting there laughing – we were both convinced that I had an ingrowing hair or something like that. At the age of 35, the thought of potentially having breast cancer hadn’t even entered my mind – Jo and I were both sure that there’d be nothing to worry about.

It was a huge shock when I was told that I did have breast cancer – there was no history at all of the disease in our family. I completely broke down for a while, but then I remembered a friend who was fighting breast cancer at the time. The thought of her grounded me - I took a deep breath and asked the doctor to explain all my options. Sadly, my friend passed away during the first Covid lockdown.

My initial treatment was a single mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy.  A year or so later, I had my other breast removed and reconstructed at the same time. I didn’t want to risk being diagnosed with breast cancer on the other side too and having to go through all the treatment again.

Emma during treatment

This whole period was a very difficult time for me. My children were still very young -  Evie was four, Emily was 10 and Jack was 12. Being so young myself, was hard – I’d always thought of breast cancer and chemotherapy as being something which happened to much older people.  I was very lucky to have such a wonderful support network, including my mother-in-law Jo, my husband Jonathan and all my friends.

Jo and I decided to sign up for The MoonWalk London the following year - as soon as I finished my chemotherapy, I gave myself a couple of weeks’ rest before I started my MoonWalk training. At that point I could only manage to walk to the top of the street! The goal of taking part in The MoonWalk London really gave me something to concentrate on. Jo and I completed the 26.2 miles Full Moon – it was a really hard challenge, but we did it!

When Jo and I signed up for the London event, we also agreed that if I survived another ten years, we’d celebrate by taking part in The MoonWalk Iceland! Originally, it was just going to be the two of us, but then we got together a big team, including some of our gym buddies and my colleagues at Willow primary school where I work as a teaching assistant.

Team Accelerate Boobilicious

I know that I’ve changed as a person over the last ten years – I used to be quite timid and would be bothered about what people thought of me. Now, I just don’t care!

Although I did The Moonwalk London straight out of chemotherapy which made me feel alive, completing The Moonwalk Iceland ten years on made me realise how far I’ve come and the journey I’ve travelled. I couldn’t have wished to complete it with a better bunch of girls and my mother-in-law Jo, who are friends for life. Crossing the finishing line was not only inspiring for me, but highlighted to others going through breast cancer treatment that there is hope”.

Emma’s mother in law Jo added: “When cancer hits your family like it did ours 10 years ago, your world comes crashing down. But Emma‘s strength and outlook on life gave us new hope. I was honoured to take part in The Moonwalk Iceland with Emma to celebrate her being cancer free for 10 years. Her bravery and strength inspire me every single day - you never know how strong you are, until strong is your only choice … and strong she certainly is”.

Team Accelerate Boobilicious have now raised more than £10,500.

Thank you so much to the whole team for your support and to Emma for sharing your story!

Sign up now for The MoonWalk Iceland 2025