‘If you notice something different in your breasts, go to your GP’
KNOWLEDGE is power, a local breast cancer survivor has said, as she urged people to check themselves regularly and attend screening appointments.
Sue Staples was diagnosed with the disease in 2017. Her symptoms first presented as a stabbing pain in her breast.
‘I went to my GP and had a mammogram and they found a cyst,’ she said.
‘The biopsy told me at that point that everything was fine, I had some atypical cells removed and everything was all good.’
Following the appointment she travelled to Australia for her 50th birthday. When she returned and had another breast exam, another lump was found.
‘I went for another mammogram and something was there. The whole atmosphere in the room changed,’ said Ms Staples.
‘I went home and looked at life insurance.’
The Guernsey Press interviewed Ms Staples in the same room of the breast unit that she was diagnosed in.
‘I was sitting in here, and it was like my entire body dropped for miles, it just falls and keeps on falling – the emotion that you feel in that moment.
‘I was worried for my children and I didn’t know how to tell my mum and dad. My mum was devastated, as I would be as a mum.’
The next step involved tests and discussions about treatment.
‘You’re having all this information thrown at you and there are a lot of decisions to make.
‘You make your own decisions which is hard – you are driving your own treatment,’ said Ms Staples.
‘Me and my husband said that we would find something positive in every day, but I fell into a hole after radiotherapy.’
It was then that she was told about an exercise group specifically for women who have or are experiencing cancer.
‘It changed my life,’ she said.
‘They are the most beautiful people. There were a lot of things I couldn’t tell my husband, but to walk into that room and talk to those ladies and say I wasn’t sleeping, to find out it wasn’t just me. Just having someone say they know what you’re talking about and for them not to have that look of pity.
‘I had stopped telling people things, it would ruin their day.’
Two days before Christmas Ms Staples had the lump removed.
‘I had a wonderful Christmas, like one we have never had before.
‘The physical recovery is quick, but the mental recovery takes a long time.’
Five years on, she said she feels absolutely fabulous.
‘This [interview] is totally out of my comfort zone, but now I think what is the worst that can happen? Let’s just grab life by the horns.’
Ms Staples said people should go straight to the GP if they have any concerns.
‘If you are coming up to 50, go and get screened and always get checked out. I had pain and that is quite atypical, so if you notice something in your breasts is different go to your GP.
‘Most things are not cancer.’
