Sarah’s life went back to normal after she finished treatment for primary breast cancer. But just 19 months later, she received a secondary diagnosis. She shares what she wants people to understand about secondary breast cancer and how she fundraises with her family.
Can you tell us about your experience with breast cancer?
I had my primary diagnosis in April 2020, right at the start of the first lockdown. I couldn’t have anyone at my appointments, but COVID rates were low where I live, so my surgery, , and all went ahead according to a normal schedule.
What support did you receive?
Due to restrictions put in place for the pandemic, some of the usual face-to-face support wasn’t available. But I found great support in the Breast Cancer Now online forums.
I found 3 women who were all starting chemotherapy at the same time as me. We created a WhatsApp group to share our experiences and support each other. We talked about our first chemotherapy infusions, losing our hair, our side effects and medication. It was a safe space to share our worries and was absolutely invaluable to me. We’re still in touch now, 4 years later!
After your treatment, how did you adjust to daily life?
I finished treatment in July 2021. After shielding for so long, it took a while to adjust and I found busy places quite daunting. But life gradually went back to normal.
I returned to work and did things I love, like spending time with my family and going on holidays. I tried to raise awareness of breast cancer symptoms and encourage everyone to do regular monthly checks.
And how are you now?
I had 19 months of living cancer-free, but in February 2023, I was told that my cancer had returned. This time, it was stage 4. It had spread to my bones and was incurable.
It’s hard to express how devastating this news was, more for my 2 young children, husband, family and friends. I found it hard to tell people initially, as I felt like I was spreading the misery.
Now, I’m very grateful that I’m stable. I’ve settled into my new treatment regime and have scans every 16 weeks. I try to put them to the back of my mind, but ‘scanxiety’ is a real thing!
What do you want people to know about secondary breast cancer?
When I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer, I didn’t know what secondary breast cancer was. I thought that ‘incurable’ meant ‘terminal’, but I now know that’s not the case. Even though my cancer won’t ever be cured, I can continue to live my life.
I write a blog called Things Cancer Made Me Do on Facebook and Instagram, sharing my daily life with secondary breast cancer. I want to raise awareness about the disease as many people don’t fully understand it.
What else are you doing to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer?
I turned 40 in January 2023 and wanted to fundraise for Breast Cancer Now to celebrate. Unfortunately, our plans were put on hold, as my secondary diagnosis came just 3 weeks after my birthday. But once I’d started treatment, my husband and I, alongside family and friends, planned a sponsored 10-mile walk and family fun day.
We were joined by over 120 walkers, and hundreds of people were part of the family day. And thankfully, the weather was kind.
We raised a phenomenal £23,150 which was much more than I’d ever imagined. We had so much support. It was lovely to see so many people raising money for such a deserving charity.
What do you hope for the future?
All I hope is that research will lead to further breakthroughs for people with secondary breast cancer, and will give me more time with my family. I’m grateful that my cancer is responding well to treatment so far. And I’m grateful for the wonderful staff at my hospital who treat me like a friend rather than a patient.
My friends and family have supported us so well over the past 4 years. I can still live a fairly normal life and I find the joy in the every day.
Get involved
Has Sarah’s story inspired you? By fundraising like Sarah, you can support our ground-breaking research so that people with secondary breast cancer can live well.