Blog：’Spreading the news’
Barbara was told the tests had found cancer cells in her breast. But, because she had seen the signs early and the disease had not spread, she was offered a lumpectomy, where just the cancerous lump is removed.
“It is absolutely earth-shattering to be told you have cancer.
“My first reaction was that I should be dead my Christmas.
“But I discovered there is more out there for cancer patients than you can probably imagine.”
Barbara added: “I had private insurance, so I had the operation on the following Monday evening.
“But even if I’d waited to have it on the NHS, it would have taken place within a couple of weeks.
“Because I found it early, I didn’t have to have chemotherapy, but I did have some sessions of radiotherapy.”
Barbara, who is now taking a course of tamoxifen, has been given a good prognosis, but says she regularly checks her breasts to make sure nothing has changed.
“I feel wonderful.
“And I do want to say that women must examine themselves and get to the doctor quickly if they spot anything.
“I’m grateful to all the researchers working in this area, but also to the women.
“I knew that puckering of skin was a problem because other women had come out of their ‘embarrassment shells’ and spread the news.”
