As a Breast Cancer Voice, I’ve regained a sense of purpose

Can you tell us about your diagnosis? 

In March 2020, just before the pandemic, I was beginning to rebuild my health and life after several very difficult years. This is when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember thinking, “I feel the best I’ve felt in years. How can I go through with this treatment which will take all that away?”

I was more than halfway through my yoga teacher training, which I had to give up. So, I felt a lot of loss along with my diagnosis and treatment. 

What support did you get? 

Breast Cancer Now were an amazing support to me. Whether it was talking to a Someone Like Me volunteer, a nurse on the helpline, or someone on the forum, the connection made such a difference. The human interaction and compassion allowed me to cope with what I was going through.

Why did you join Breast Cancer Voices?

The support I received made such a difference to me. And I loved that Breast Cancer Now were actively involving people with experience of breast cancer.

As patients, we’re usually on the receiving end of professional expertise. But Breast Cancer Voices switches that round. It gives us the power to say what helps, what we need, and what’s important for us.

That’s why I joined Louder Voices, which means that I get notified about urgent or personalised opportunities throughout the month, as well as the monthly Breast Cancer Voices bulletin. I wasn’t working at the time and could respond to projects quickly. My voice has always been loud, and it felt like the opportunity was calling me.

As a Louder Voice, what have been involved in so far?

I’ve done so many different things. The rebranding focus group stands out to me. I was part of one of several focus groups working to update Breast Cancer Now’s strapline. We were shown different wording and imagery and asked to evaluate how well they reflected our experience of Breast Cancer Now.

I found it really moving, especially the new strapline “We’re here”. It really resonated with my experience of Breast Cancer Now as an organisation.

Have you been involved in any other projects?

I was also asked to be part of the Scottish Government’s Early Bird Campaign. The campaign encourages people who spot symptoms of cancer to see a GP as soon as possible. I found out about a woman who sought early treatment because of the campaign, which was a fantastic outcome.

Alongside other Voices, I was recently part of the Insight Panel advising on the Big Breast Cancer Survey. This survey will inform Breast Cancer Now’s new organisational strategy. We worked with the researchers to review the survey questions, the research design and the summary of findings. We made sure that the research was sensitive to the lived experience of people with breast cancer and reflected our priorities and concerns.

What have you gained from being a Breast Cancer Voice?

I lost so much at the point of my diagnosis. Being a Breast Cancer Voice, my confidence has grown, and I’ve regained a sense of purpose and meaning.

The interest and care that the staff show to volunteers is amazing. I’ve gained new skills and knowledge, particularly around research, which I’m using in my new job. It gives me a real sense of pride to know that Breast Cancer Now prioritises and values lived experience and invests so much in us.