'I hated PE at school': three women on how they got active after breast cancer

I used to hate exercise – Joy, 59 

I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer eight years ago 

After I retired from work six years ago, I decided to try to find some exercise that I enjoyed in order to keep myself as fit as possible through my treatment.  

I joined a gym, but never really felt motivated to go and exercise on my own. 

I hated PE at school 

I was never a great fan of exercise. I hated PE at school and was hopeless at it.  

I always felt self-conscious and humiliated, and I never found an activity I enjoyed or was any good at. 

I found something I enjoyed 

I started to attend an aquaerobics class twice a week at my gym. 

I'd at last found something I enjoyed. I made several friends at my class and this motivated me to go regularly.  

Exercising in the water took the pressure off my joints, which were suffering due to hormone therapy. It was ideal and really good fun! 

Leading on from this I tried Clubbercise classes. 

Clubbercise involves exercising with glow sticks in the dark to club music.  

No one laughed at me if I made mistakes  

As we were all 'in the dark', it didn't matter if I couldn't keep up! 

I managed to keep up two to three exercise classes a week until November 2018, when I had an operation to remove half my lung due to cancer progression. This put me out of action for over two months, and I really missed my classes.  

Nearly a year on, amazingly, I was back to doing aqua twice a week.  

I can't quite cope with the speed of Clubbercise. But I've been doing a class specially for older members called Gently does it.  

It makes me feel young and relatively fit as I'm one of the youngest there!  

Exercise has given me a boost 

I used to hate exercise, but now I really miss it if I can't go. 

It's given me a boost, improved my fitness, helped me recover from surgery and cope with my ongoing treatment.  

It also gives me a routine and structure to my week.  

I wouldn't be without it and I'd recommend it to anyone living with secondary breast cancer.  

I had never run before in my life – Rachel, 50 

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 at the age of 41  

Finding it was devastating. My two girls were 13 and 16.   

I had a mastectomy, reconstruction (twice), chemotherapy and radiotherapy and I am now on tamoxifen.   

Not only was I going through this, but my mum was also diagnosed at exactly the same time. 

A colleague was trying the local Beginners to Runners course 

I had never run before in my life but thought I’d give it a go. 

Years later my colleague, Angela, is one of my best friends and we’ve been running ever since. 

Running has helped me find a focus to move forward  

It has helped me through the bad days. I still get those even 10 years later.    

In September 2018 I had a setback when I had an infection that led to having the reconstruction completely removed. I now have to wear a prosthesis – another challenge. 

Running is amazing for my mental health and wellbeing 

I turned 50 last year. To celebrate I took on the London Landmarks Half Marathon, running for Breast Cancer Now, along with my friend Angela. 

Breast Cancer Now was my go-to place when I was worried or stressed throughout my treatment. Reading people’s stories, using the online Forum and reading about the latest research helped me and continues to do so.  

I love the physical and mental benefits – Marie, 65 

I've always been a keen walker  

I’ve walked on and off since about the age of five, when my parents took me out walking with them in the Peak District.  

I had a break when recovering from my lumpectomy and radiotherapy, till my skin healed. Then started again a few months ago. 

I love the challenge 

I walk in groups, on my own, and with friends. 

I love it. I love the landscapes, the challenge, exploring new routes, the satisfaction, and the physical and mental benefits. 

I recommend it highly.