One in Two People…

I started the Peach Box diaries to be able to share conversations on womens’ health subjects that we need to talk about more. So this month, we’re talking about cancer…

Interview by Alex Porter

In 2015, Cancer Research UK’s new analysis revealed that “one in two people in the UK will get cancer at some point in their lives.”

The good news is, cancer treatment is becoming more effective, especially if it is diagnosed early, and oncologists are hopeful that even with more cancer diagnoses in the future, more people will also be cured.

There’s also plenty we can do to reduce the likelihood of getting cancer and to ensure early diagnosis.

Kris Hallenga, who sadly lost her incredible 15 year battle with cancer earlier this year, set up CoppaFeel, the breast cancer awareness charity, encouraging women and men to check their breasts regularly to ensure an early diagnosis which Kris herself did not benefit from. I wholeheartedly recommend reading her engaging book Glittering a Turd, and checking out the fun and fabulous charity website, and don’t forget to share these with your friends! https://coppafeel.org/

Also don’t forget about routine appointments like smear and prostate checkups, to push for a second opinion if something just doesn’t feel right, and encourage friends and family to do the same. It really can save lives.

Other recommendations from Cancer Research UK include preventative lifestyle measures like “reducing obesity, red meat consumption and smoking that increase the odds of a tumour developing.” https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31096218

Likewise, holding our government accountable for better funding for our neglected NHS would definitely help to reduce waiting times for assessment and treatment.

Getty Images, Unsplash

Today we look at Jo’s story of surviving cervical cancer, and her powerful words of advice…

Jo's story 

“If I start by saying that although I am now seven years post treatment, I don’t think of myself as a cancer survivor. I am still having six monthly follow ups and annual MRI and CT scans due to the “unusual nature” of the cancer.”

What symptoms did you have leading up to diagnosis and how old were you at the time?

“At the time I didn’t realise that what was happening was actually a symptom of Cervical Cancer. I was 56 and still having periods monthly which were getting heavier and longer. I thought this was all down to the menopause and would settle eventually.”

How and when did you discover you may have cancer?

“After a trip to Las Vegas for my son's wedding, I went to see my GP as on the way to Gatwick by train I had some really heavy bleeding. I then fainted as we arrived at the airport. Paramedics were called and checked me over, but just advised I enjoyed my Holiday and went to see my GP on my return.

After explaining what had happened and continued throughout my Holiday she ordered blood tests. Within six hours of the tests I was admitted to Hospital for a blood transfusion and some tests to establish what was causing the bleeding. An ultrasound scan found fibroids but nothing else. I then waited a further four weeks for a hysteroscopy. This wasn’t carried out as the Dr could see what she believed to be cancer, but I needed more tests. I was admitted again and had a CT and MRI scan and within a week I had the results and it was the worst it could possibly be. Stage 4b. Treatable but not curable - Palliative care.”

What was treatment like with the NHS?

“When I initially went to see my GP I intended to use my private health insurance (part of my salary package) but things happened so quickly with the NHS that there was no point.

The appointment when I was given my diagnosis was horrendous. A 9am appointment but I wasn’t seen until 10.45 (the doctors were in a meeting!) I had no idea who I was seeing and had never been to this particular Hospital so had the stress of not knowing where I was going as well as expecting bad news as it was so soon after my scan. 

I was given the news, ushered across the corridor to the Macmillan Nurse office, given a bag of literature and told I would have details of an oncology appointment in the post. That was it. 15 minutes. We were both shell shocked but just left. I arrived home to a letter detailing my first appointment with Oncology. Luckily the post didn’t arrive early that day.

Oncology appointments were (and are) completely different. I can’t fault any of  the consultants, Registrars and Nurses I have seen over the last seven years. I have never felt rushed at any appointment and am always given time to ask any questions I may have.

Radiotherapy - I had ten sessions - always completed really quickly - never really had to wait. Most of the time I was in and out within 30 minutes.

Chemotherapy - I had six rounds of three drugs. Very long days and the department was very busy, but the Nurses were lovely and on the occasions I had to see the Dr during chemo they were very efficient and dealt with the problems quickly. At no point did I wish I had switched to private care.”

MRI scanner (Gett Images, Unsplash)

Were there any people or organisations that really helped you through this time?

“Macmillan was my first port of call. There is quite a large section of the ground floor of the Oncology Department given to Macmillan with Staff able to answer questions on finance, benefits, hair loss and treatment together with a library of information about various cancers and treatments including side effects etc. Although when reading it is a bit overwhelming, it is more informative than the advice given by the NHS. The online support from Macmillan is also very good.

I also found Jo’s Trust - dedicated to cervical cancer - really good, and had the chance to visit a Maggies centre which was in person rather than online which I found very helpful.

I was also pointed in the direction of a local group meeting weekly at my local Hospital. Although this wasn’t really for me (I found the other participants to be quite negative) it’s worth giving it a try.”

Photo by Anja Bauermann on Unsplash

Did you lose your hair?

“Yes I did ‘brave the shave’ for MacMillan  

On the day of my diagnosis (coincidentally 8 years ago today) I decided that if I was going to lose my hair I would try a different hairstyle and have a pixie cut. It was my brother who suggested I do Brave the Shave and raise some money. 

Once I knew I would definitely lose my hair, my hairdresser arranged a pamper morning at her salon with all profits from the morning being donated, and the little coffee shop next door had a cake sale donating all profits too. 

My workplace said I could have my head shaved there and again had a cake sale and raffle. 

It was the day before my first chemo. 

My family came along - except my husband as he preferred not to watch. 

It was actually quite liberating not to have to worry about doing my hair before I went out. 

Although I only had bristles left it was still very upsetting when only a few days after my first chemo they started falling out. 

Another thing I didn’t anticipate was how cold my head would get at night time. 

We raised over £5000 altogether and I won an award at work for charity fundraising. 

In the oncology unit at the Hospital there’s a little shop that sells hats. I visited quite often. I did have a wig but it wasn’t very comfortable. 

I was convinced my hair would grow back grey but it didn’t. It was very curly to start with, and yes it took ages to grow back.”

Getty Images, Unsplash

What advice would you give other women?

“What advice would I give - this is difficult. Trust yourself. You know your body - if something doesn’t seem right and you feel you’re being fobbed off, ask for a second opinion (I wish I had).

Stay positive. Don’t listen to the naysayers! I was told I had a year to live and my treatment was to improve my quality of life. My immediate reaction was “absolutely not - it’s not going to get me” I went back to work after my treatment because that’s what you do.

Particularly for Cervical Cancer - make sure you attend screenings. I missed one - but because of my age, my next appointment was five years later. So it had been eight years and the cancer could have been growing all of that time.

Everybody is different - everybody’s treatment is different. Everybody’s reactions are different. If you find yourself in the situation where you need treatment - don’t be tempted to listen to anybody else’s experiences - yours will be different.

Don’t blame yourself. Nothing you have done has caused this.

Live every day - enjoy life nobody knows what’s around the corner.”

How has your experience with cancer changed your life?

“My cancer experience has very much changed my outlook on life.”

“It might sound corny but I would say to everyone - live every day as if it’s your last. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed for anyone.”

“For me it’s travelling. In fact as I type I’m on a ship anchored off Nanortalik in Greenland. I’ve spent the morning on a small boat cruising around the icebergs. 

Would I have done this before cancer - probably not. I would have waited until I retired and then who knows if I’d have done it. 

“It will be eight years in July since I was diagnosed. A lot of people I met along the way are no longer here. I do feel guilty that I am here, I still have long term side effects that annoy me from time to time but I am still here. I still feel that it will come back which apparently is quite common and I could still break down and weep uncontrollably when I reflect on what has happened. But I’m alive.”

“Am I a cancer survivor? Ask me again in two years.”

Josue Michel - Unsplash.