Sarah’s Story:
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer out of the blue last year at the age of only 40, when my children were eight and six. I’m taking on the Full Moon challenge (26.2 miles) at this year’s MoonWalk London to raise awareness that breast cancer can affect absolutely anyone.
Before my diagnosis, I did check my breasts, but not every month and I wasn’t even sure I was doing it properly. At the end of May 2024, I was in the shower and suddenly noticed that the skin on my left breast looked like a bit like orange peel. It wasn’t long after we’d returned from an incredible family holiday of a lifetime to South Africa to celebrate my big birthday.
I knew that my breast didn’t feel right and that I needed to get it checked out. Although it took a couple of weeks to get a GP appointment, I then got referred urgently to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for tests. Everything then started to move very fast.
To be honest, I feared from the start that I might have cancer, but it was still a huge shock when my diagnosis was confirmed. We had no history at all of breast cancer in the family. I’d never even contemplated that I’d be diagnosed myself at the age of 40, although I obviously knew it could happen. As I took everything in, I just couldn’t stop thinking about my young children.
I was fit and healthy and I’d always eaten well. We were a really active family, I’m not overweight and I didn’t drink much alcohol. I kept asking myself what I’d done wrong and blamed myself initially. But it just showed the reality that anyone can be diagnosed with breast cancer and we often simply don’t know why.
My treatment started – I needed a mastectomy, as the mass was large and taking up quite a lot of my breast. My surgeon removed five lymph nodes during the surgery – just one of them had less than half a millimetre of cancer in it, so I was told that I wouldn’t have chemotherapy, but did need 15 days of radiotherapy to prevent the cancer coming back.
I’m now taking various drugs, including some which mean that I’m going through the surgical menopause, with all the accompanying symptoms, which can be tough. Unfortunately, I can’t take HRT, due to my type of breast cancer. I had the test for the altered BRCA gene – carriers have a greatly increased chance of developing breast cancer. Thankfully the test came back negative – I was very relieved for my daughter and son.
The support I’ve had from my lovely husband, my family and friends throughout everything has been incredible and my children have coped very well. I’m a primary school teacher and have been overwhelmed with the support from my headteacher too. My cancer nurse from Genesis Care – where I had my surgery and radiotherapy thanks to my husband’s private insurance – even came along to the village and did a talk about breast awareness to a packed room full of local women. I want to make sure that going forward, as many women as possible who I know are checking themselves regularly for changes.
I can’t wait to take part in The MoonWalk London in May with an ever-growing group of local women – mummy friends and the wives of my husband’s friends too. All the Dads have been booked for babysitting on the night of the event!
I’ve never done a marathon before, but it was always on my bucket list. A lot of the mums don’t work on a Friday, so group of us are already meeting up that day every week after school drop-off for a walk. We’re looking forward to getting to know even more of our local area, as the training walks get longer. We also have a bra decorating party planned – we’re loving this year’s “Musicals” theme and have decided to dress up as “The Orange Ladies” from Grease, with bomber jackets, black leather bras with studs and a Grease theme!
There have been some difficult days over the last year, but generally I wake up very positive and want to get up and go out. I feel relieved that I’m still here, that the cancer was caught early and was treatable. Orange is my favourite colour and I wore it to a lot of my appointments. It’s such a vibrant, bright, positive colour.
On Saturday 17th May – the date of this year’s MoonWalk London – it won’t even be a full year since my breast cancer diagnosis. But after a hard year, I’m feeling strong. By taking part, I’m hoping to raise lots of awareness and vital funds – and if I can help even one other person like me, I will be very happy”.
Feeling inspired? You can take part in The MoonWalk London this year by clicking here!
