Mel shares her future moment in the Gallery of Hope, a photography exhibition made in collaboration with people living with incurable secondary breast cancer.
It’s 2025 and we’ve finally finished building our home and wellness retreat in Cyprus. My husband and I are hosting a party for the grand opening. Fairy lights adorn the olive trees, illuminating the tranquil, evening scene
Originally born in Cyprus, Mel has spent most of her life in London. She now lives in Walthamstow with her husband Shelly. However, the couple are in the process of building their dream home on the east coast of Cyprus, where they plan to run a wellness retreat. Health and wellness are a big part of Mel’s life, a passion she discovered around a decade ago when caring for her daughter.
Mel was diagnosed with primary breast cancer back in 2009, for which she received a successful course of treatment. 10 years later, another lump appeared and this time she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Mel is a full time mother, foster mother and step mother, with her and her husband having 6 young and adult children between them. So no doubt there'll be plenty of visitors to their Cypriot paradise.
Mel's story
What research are we doing into secondary breast cancer?
Secondary breast cancer occurs when breast cancer cells spread from the first (primary) breast cancer in the breast, through the lymphatic or blood system, to other parts of the body.
Our researchers are here working to buy more time for people with secondary breast cancer.
