Sam was on the trip of a lifetime to celebrate her 30th birthday when she found a lump in her breast. Now, two years after that diagnosis, she says she has learnt she is much more resilient than she thought.
Sam was on the trip of a lifetime to celebrate her 30th birthday when she found a lump in her breast. Now, two years after that diagnosis, she has learnt she is much more resilient than she thought.
I discovered a lump while applying suncream
Ironically I was in the 'Happiest Place on Earth' when I discovered a lump while applying suncream. I was in my hotel room at Walt Disney World --of all places!
What started off as the holiday of a lifetime celebrating my 30th birthday, heading off to Vegas with my best friend and then meeting my husband in Orlando quickly turned into a trip I would never forget, but for all the wrong reasons.
Fast forward a week later and I was sat with who would later become my breast surgeon, being given the horrific news that at the age of just 30, I had an aggressive form of breast cancer that would require 'the book thrown at it'.
As someone with no family history of breast cancer and as someone who always associated the disease with much older women than me, it was a huge shock hearing the words ‘you have cancer’ at just 30 years old.
Cancer shapes who you are as a person
Cancer can very quickly shape you as a person. You have to dig deeper than you ever thought possible. People often say ‘I dont know how you do it’ but when you are faced with your own mortality you just find a way.
I didnt want to look like a cancer patient on the outside and kept my diagnosis very hidden for a time -particularly from social media. I was very adamant that my life needed to continue as normal to regain control over the situation.
Cancer really tests your relationship with people. They say that cancer doesn’t just affect the patient but everyone around them and I’m so grateful to have had some wonderful people around me during one of my darkest times.
If anything, it’s really made me appreciate those who stuck around regardless of how bad things got.
You're never too young to check
Having to stare death in the face really makes you re-evaluate life and any future plans you might have had. When the rug is whipped from under you, you have to dig deep and rebuild that future.
It doesn’t happen overnight, but I am slowly getting there. I took on a new job, started volunteering and began to share my story for anyone who ever found themselves hearing those dreaded words that I had.
I have learnt that I am more resilient than I ever imagined and to never take things for granted. Life is too short to worry about anyone’s happiness other than your own.
You are never too young to check. And if in doubt - get it checked out and don’t take no for an answer.
Sam is one of 11 women from across the world who are part of ghd’s Take Control Now campaign in partnership with Breast Cancer Now. The campaign features 11 women diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 35 who are sharing their experiences to remind women to self check for signs of breast cancer.
£10 from every purchase of the Take Control Now campaign in the UK will go to Breast Cancer Now.
It's important to check your breasts regularly and see your GP if you notice a change in your breasts. Find out the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.