Emily's Story

In April 2023, I noticed some changes in my left breast after I finished breast feeding my 2nd child.

I booked a visit to the GP, who reassured me that it was normal physiological changes that happened when you stop breastfeeding and they should subside within a month or two.

By June 2023, the symptoms had got worse, so I booked another appointment at the GP. This time the GP referred me for an ultrasound, and in July I had biopsies taken whilst having the scan.

On 17th August 2023, at the age of 33, I was diagnosed with invasive inflammatory breast cancer with spread to the lymph nodes. It was a huge shock to myself and my family, and from that moment on my life would never be the same.

Further scans and tests determined that I would need a single mastectomy, along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It has been an incredibly difficult time trying to balance appointments and chemotherapy side effects whilst still parenting two young children. But I feel so lucky to have the love and support of my family and friends during this time.

I am still undergoing chemotherapy and will do so until March 2025, alongside taking part in an immunotherapy trial.

Thank you so much to the Ben Saunders foundation for providing my family with a lovely holiday, we feel very lucky.