Out on a walk on The West Sands, St Andrews at New Year
“I’m taking on the Full Moon (26.2 miles) at this year’s MoonWalk Scotland. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year following a routine mammogram. I was 57. I want to raise as much awareness as I can about the importance of early diagnosis.
I had a routine mammogram in March 2024 – I expected it to be normal, just like all my previous scans.
We had no history of breast cancer in the family and whilst it was never something I’d been particularly concerned about, I still knew how important it was to get myself regularly checked and to stay as generally healthy as I could.
This latest mammogram found a tiny lump on my chest wall, buried deep within my right breast. It only measured around 4 millimetres and it was so small, neither I nor my doctors could feel it with our hands. I’ll be forever grateful to the radiologist who read my mammogram and spotted that tiny lump on my images and to my Doctor who sent me for additional tests.
Although I didn’t know yet for sure, I sensed that something was wrong and that I probably did have breast cancer.
At the same time, I was still trying to keep everything in perspective as much as I could.
My tests included a biopsy, which was tricky in itself, because the lump was so deep. The person taking the biopsy had to be guided to the correct location using an ultrasound while he was inserting the needle. When I got my results and my breast cancer diagnosis was finally confirmed, it didn’t come as too much of a shock. I was given a treatment plan straight away and that really reassured me – I just wanted to get on with it.
As my cancer had been discovered so promptly, my options were very clear – firstly surgery to remove the lump, the tissue surrounding it, and one lymph node to check for cancer cells. Thankfully that lymph node came back clear. I then had five days of radiotherapy the following month and am now taking the hormone therapy anastrozole for five years – these are both additional precautions, to prevent the cancer coming back.
The surgeons and other specialists all told me that if it hadn’t been for the mammogram (and the very vigilant person reading my scans) that it could have been a long time before I was able to feel that cancerous lump myself.
By then, it could potentially have become a much bigger issue. Attending mammograms and checking yourself is absolutely key. I describe myself as a poster child for early detection saving your life!
Raising a toast to good health with my husband Paul in Italy this summer – 1967 vintage (year of my birth!)
My sister did The MoonWalk years ago and loved it – I’ve wanted to do it myself previously, but it never worked out date-wise. This year, I have my own personal reason to be involved and the dates finally work. It feels as though it was meant to be!
I’ve signed up for the Full Moon (26.2 miles) – I’ve done half marathons previously, but this will be my first time walking the full marathon distance. I’ve signed up on my own and am calling it a “Me” project. It’s a great goal and a fantastic focus for me after what I’ve been through. I’m really looking forward to it! I’ve always loved walking and exercise in general – it helps me so much both physically and mentally.
I feel very lucky that aside from taking hormone therapy for a few more years, my life feels like it is now back to normal. I don’t think about it except sometimes when I catch sight of the slight dent in my right breast. I really feel that is down to the fact that my cancer was discovered when it was. And that’s the clear message I want to spread to everyone by taking part in The MoonWalk. The earlier you’re diagnosed, the less chance your cancer has to grab hold. This means that your treatment is likely to be less invasive and you’ll hopefully have a more straightforward recovery”.
Thank you for sharing your story Emma and such an important message.
We look forward to seeing you at The MoonWalk Scotland 2025!