MoonWalker Jenny shares the unusual story of her breast cancer diagnosis

Jenny’s story:

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2023. I used to check my breasts, but not regularly every month and only discovered my lump thanks to an incident with a lawnmower!

The thought of getting cancer always terrified me, having watched my mum die of pancreatic cancer when I was just 25 and she was only 54. I’ve always gone for smear tests and mammograms, but in between times, I would only check my breasts every so often, when I was in the shower or getting dressed. It certainly wasn’t something that I did monthly. 

Last year, after a long time being office-based, I started working for my husband’s gardening business and really loved it. It was fantastic to be spending so much time outside. One day, I was getting a heavy lawnmower out of our van, when I caught myself in the breast area. I’m not even sure which breast I hit with the lawnmower. I made a mental note to try to avoid hitting myself again and to be more careful!

Jenny with husband Chris

A couple of weeks later, I was checking my breasts. It was as I was doing this, that I thought I could feel a lump in my right breast, although I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t painful and when I had caught myself with the lawnmower there was no bruise or pain.   It was on the flatter part of my breast, at the top. Since starting the menopause, I’d had a lot of breast cysts, although they were always in the fuller part of my breast, so I wasn’t too concerned.

I made an appointment with my GP, who thought it might just be a haematoma from where I caught myself with the lawn mower, but she sent me to the breast clinic to get checked out anyway, just in case. I was examined and had two mammograms and an ultrasound. I was told there and then that they were 90% certain I had breast cancer and a metal clip was put into the lump. I also then spoke to the surgeon, who confirmed he was certain, but they would test a biopsy to be 100%.

I still don’t know if it was my right breast which I caught with the lawnmower. However, I do know that the knock made me examine myself and go to the doctor for confirmation, as I wasn’t sure what I was feeling. I say that a lawnmower has potentially saved my life! 

I had chemotherapy, which finished in October 2023, followed by a lumpectomy a few weeks later. The chemo was very successful and the results after my lumpectomy showed a complete pathological response, meaning that all the cancer had been removed, which was really good news.

The fatigue that goes along with chemo is another level. I also went totally bald as I decided not to use a cold cap to prevent hair loss and simply embraced my bald head. I decided to shave my head after my second chemo, when my hair started to come out. My youngest son and daughter did the big shave and four of my nine grandchildren were also there along with my son’s partner. I became known as “Nanny No Hair” – my five-year-old granddaughter Mia kept rubbing my head and giving it a pat. I’ve since finished radiotherapy too.

Jenny with her granddaughter Mia

Having my cancer diagnosis has definitely been a reality check – I particularly missed not being able to look after my grandchildren during chemo, as my immune system was so compromised, alongside the fatigue. My mind-set is that I now want to do all those things, which I thought I’d only get around to much later on in life – for instance, I really want to see the Northern Lights and go to Mauritius.

I do try and be positive and I’ve always loved taking on new challenges. In the past I’ve done a parachute jump for Sarcoidosis Research. The only thing which would have got me out of that plane door was the fact that I was raising money for others! I also did a virtual climb up Everest during lockdown, again for Sarcoidosis, and in 2003 I did the Great North Run for Cancer Research. 

Jenny with her team for The MoonWalk – daughter-in-law Rachel and her children Chris, Luke and Lisa

I am now signed up to take on the Half Moon (15.1 miles) at The MoonWalk London 2024. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but my own diagnosis has prompted me to finally take the plunge!  Training for The MoonWalk has been a really positive goal to focus on and work towards, during my treatment. My three children and daughter in law will be walking with me on the night. Because there are five of us doing The MoonWalk together, I’m sure that we’ll keep each other going.

My breast cancer could have been discovered so much later, if it hadn’t been for that lawnmower – I have a lot to thank it for. Being diagnosed with breast cancer almost by accident has taught me a real lesson about the importance of checking myself and that’s a message which I want to pass on to others. I’ve been shocked at how many young women are diagnosed, as well as women my age. No matter what your age is, make it part of your monthly ‘things to do’ list, to check your boobs! And if you’re frightened to do it yourself, get someone else to check them for you, or go and see your GP. It could save your life”.

Jenny with her family

Thank you for sharing your story Jenny.
We look forward to seeing you and your team at The MoonWalk London 2024