Jo, United Kingdom

I noticed that my left breast looked different in summer 2022. In September 2022 I found a lump and saw my GP. I was put on the 2 week wait pathway and was seen at the rapid diagnostic clinic at my local hospital on 26th September 2022. After 90 minutes of mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies I was told that the lump was almost certainly primary breast cancer, with a spread to the nearby lymph nodes. I had 8 rounds of chemotherapy, 2 operations (a lumpectomy and a lymph node clearance), and 15 rounds of radiotherapy. In summer 2023 I was NED (no evidence of disease.) I was identified as being at higher risk of recurrence, so I was put on hormone and targeted therapy, in the form of daily tablets.

In summer 2024 I noticed a pain in my abdomen and went to my GP. I was referred on to the hospital and at one point was on 3 different cancer pathways (breast, ovarian and bowel). In November 2024 I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, which had spread to my spine, pelvis and ribs. I also had a cancerous mass in my abdomen, which turned out to be one of my ovaries, which was the size of a mini rugby ball. The cancer is treatable, but incurable and will be life-limiting.

The cancer in my spine caused a compression fracture, so I had palliative radiotherapy in November 2024. The pelvic mass started causing acute pain, resulting in two A&E visits leading to two hospital admissions. I had a laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes) in May 2025. In August 2025 a new metastasis was found in my neck, so I had a dose of palliative radiotherapy.

In December 2024 I was put on to a different hormone and targeted therapy, again daily tablets. I also started receiving monthly bone strengthening injections.

Telling the people that I love - my family and friends - that I have cancer. I've had to do this twice. The first time was a complete shock; the second time was horrible in a different way. I hate that I've made people's lives worse.

I've got a brilliant medical (and holistic) team at Guy's Cancer Care, part of Guy's & St Thomas' NHS (UK). My family and friends are (and continue to be) amazing. I see a therapist. I'm a member of the Macmillan Cancer Voices group.

At my first hospital (Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust) I was treated like a medical problem that they had to solve, rather than a person. I had a great Macmillan nurse initially, but she was temporary. My medical care was good (the chemo nurses were amazing and my oncologists were lovely) but I felt a bit ignored by the nurse specialists.

When I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer I requested to move my care to Guy's, as my oncologist worked across both Trusts. This was the best decision I made for my treatment and wellbeing. The team at Guy's Cancer are astonishing - I feel seen, valued and supported.

You don't have to do this alone. Find your people and keep them close.

Patient choice means you can move your medical care if you feel you're not being looked after in a way that you're comfortable with.

Live the best life you possibly can. I have a mantra of #DoingtheStuff and I've got a lot of things to do before I go.

The fighting language isn't helpful. I'm not battling this; my medical team are on my behalf.