As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Nicola Seanor, Lead for Health and Justice Commissioning Support at NECS shares her journey of being diagnosed with and receiving treatment for breast cancer.
“In October 2022 I had a work meeting in a hospital setting and on leaving, saw a poster for ‘October breast cancer awareness month’, I had just finished my breast feeding journey with my youngest son and I decided to check myself that evening in the shower. Ultimately, I didn’t think there would be any problems due to my age (42), fitness and low risk factors.
“Following a GP appointment, a visit to the hospital breast clinic and a biopsy, ten days later, I was sitting in front of a consultant receiving a devastating diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma, at first thought to be ‘small’ and ‘caught early’.
“An initial surgery unfortunately uncovered a very large aggressive tumour which had spread to the lymph nodes prompting a mastectomy and full axillary node clearance and six months of chemotherapy. It was an incredibly tough period for our family, for my partner, our 3 children and those around us. Hair was lost, steroid weight was gained and there were many inpatient admissions. Friends, family, and neighbours rallied, and WhatsApp groups were set up to organise hand holding, childcare, food deliveries and dog walks to ease the burden.
“Treatment continued intensively for the next year with further biopsies, multiple reconstruction surgeries alongside Hormone, Endocrine, psychological and physiological therapies with a comprehensive ten-year treatment plan.
“Ongoing cancer treatment is tough with huge implications on mobility, pain and energy levels (as well as hair growth!). This in turn has a big impact on relationships, mental health, family, social and work life. Despite this, after one year off work (with regular keeping in touch days) I was able to return to work on a phased return with reasonable adjustments in place. I felt apprehensive at my capacity but also lucky as many people in my cancer support group have had to leave jobs due to the challenges that come with treatment.
“Support and patience from my line manager, colleagues, and customers, has meant that I am able to work around my ongoing treatment with a flexible working week. I have been able to reduce my travel, attend hospital appointments and work flexibly around my mobility classes. Being back at work has been tough but it has given me my independence and has allowed me to continue to work in a field I love (Health and Justice) which makes me feel more of a ‘whole person’ than a ‘cancer patient’.
“Although my treatment journey is still ongoing, I was very lucky to have found the cancer when it was treatable. I would ask everyone with breasts to please check yourselves during breast cancer awareness month (and regularly moving forward) – my lump wasn’t a typical presentation and could have easily been brushed away as ‘hormonal’ so please investigate anything you may be concerned about.”
Find out more about breast cancer signs and symptoms, treatments and more on the NHS website: Breast cancer in women – NHS (www.nhs.uk)