Shevelle was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 28 after finding a lump in her breast. The mum-of-one took part in ITV’s The Real Full Monty On Ice and met the celebrities involved, including Breast Cancer Now Vice Patron Dame Jenni Murray.
I am embracing my experience
Taking part in The Real Full Monty On Ice was an amazing experience. You never know who you can inspire with your story. I thought I wouldn’t really matter to the celebrities, but they were really touched and got quite emotional. You just think, ‘Who am I, why am I here?’ but they were so lovely. We spoke about the fact you just don’t know what people are going through.
I told them about myself, what I’ve gone through and I showed them my mastectomy scars from my reconstruction. I’m a big believer that you have got to own what you’ve gone through.
I can’t change what’s happened to me, so I embrace it instead. There’s no point shying away from it.
I feel more powerful now
Before breast cancer, I wouldn’t say I was the most confident person. When I was going through my treatment, I gained weight and I had no hair. However, thanks to the Black Women Rising support project, I was able to embrace what I’ve gone through and find my confidence.
I always say that everyone tells you the story they want you to hear. Sometimes I feel more powerful than other people because they wouldn’t have a clue that I had breast cancer and had a mastectomy. It makes me feel confident because I can choose to tell people my story if I want to.
Speaking to those celebrities made me realise that they are normal people as well. They’re all so lovely and all amazing ladies.
Breast cancer is not my fault, so I’ve just got to own it. Not everybody is able to speak up about their breast cancer or cancer diagnosis, but I feel like I want to.
Get support after treatment
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