On July 17th I found a lump on my breast as I was going to bed. On July 24th I was diagnosed with grade 1 breast cancer and was told I needed to come home from my family holiday to start the treatment process. I travelled back from Canada leaving my two children with family members. Upon further investigation my tumour turned out to be quite widespread and I was told I would need a mastectomy. On August 1st my husband flew to Canada to be with the kids and on August 15th, while my family were still in Canada, I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and a sentinel node biopsy. Two weeks after my surgery the tumour was confirmed to be 8cm, and that the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes, and that the margins of the mastectomy were clear. Five weeks after surgery it was confirmed that I would not need chemotherapy. I’m hoping to complete my course of radiotherapy in the next month.

Because of the level of research carried out on breast cancer in the UK there is an excellent understanding of the different treatments for the different varieties of breast cancer. This has allowed me to be treated as quickly as possible, and for this I am extremely grateful.

Breast Cancer Now's wear it pink day is one of the biggest fundraising events in the UK. Taking place in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, thousands of amazing people will wear it pink in their communities, schools or workplaces, to help make life-changing breast cancer research and support happen.