Health advocate first mistook her cancerous lump as perimenopause symptom

“In February 2022, I found a lump in my right breast,” Anita informed Express.co.uk.

Having beforehand labored in palliative care and having taught breast cancer consciousness to others, Anita would usually examine her breasts.

However, being perimenopausal, Anita “put it down to [her] body changing”.

Yet, a seed had been planted; “my breasts had felt tender for some time”, Anita informed herself – and so alarm bells rang.

“I managed to get a GP appointment within a couple of days,” Anita recalled.

“My doctor couldn’t even feel the lump, but luckily agreed to give me a two-week referral to the breast clinic.”

Anita shared: “I went on my own because some part of me believed it was just a cyst.

“But I might inform the radiographer had seen one thing on my mammogram, and once they known as me again to repeat it, I knew one thing was incorrect.”

Told she had stage two breast cancer, Anita broke down into tears; all those years working in a hospice made her feel as though she was now going to die.

“A breast care nurse was despatched to see me as a result of I used to be so upset, however she simply began speaking to me about chemotherapy, which made me much more upset,” Anita remembered.

The tumour was 1.8cm and hadn’t spread elsewhere in her body; Anita had a lumpectomy in May of that year.

Anita’s treatment has been brutal, with her describing it as the “worst factor” she’s ever had to deal with in her life.

“I’ve suffered fatigue, nausea, sore mouth, misplaced my sense of style… misplaced my hair.”

Anita said: “After my ultimate cycle of chemotherapy in October I’ll have three weeks of radiotherapy after which 5 years of hormone remedy.”

Amazed by the treatment options now available to those who have cancer, Anita raised funds for Cancer Research UK by taking part in the 100-mile walking challenge.

“I used to be so impressed with how far analysis had come and needed to make a contribution,” Anita shared.