Hi, I’m Emily from the UK. This is my story of how I managed my Stage 1 breast cancer.

I felt a lump in my breast that hadn't been there before. I thought it might be a cyst as I'd had cysts before. I went to my GP who agreed it felt like a cyst, but she referred me to the breast clinic 'just to be sure'. I saw a consultant two weeks later. He agreed it felt like a cyst, and sent me for a mammogram.

The mammogram was screened by a different consultant, who told me it showed a cyst but nothing else. He then performed an ultrasound which showed a small 7mm mass behind the cyst. He performed a biopsy and told me it was probably nothing to worry about. I was sent home to wait for a follow-up appointment to get the biopsy results.

Three days before the results appointment - on a bank holiday weekend - I received a letter telling me I had been booked in for a further 'pre-operative' procedure. And that is how I found out that my biopsy was not 'all clear'. I didn't know what the procedure was, and I couldn't phone the breast clinic as it was a weekend. I looked it up on the internet, and the information that I found suggested that I may have a fast-growing cancer that would require pre-operative chemotherapy.

I was devastated and bewildered that this information had arrived because an appointment letter had been sent out before my results appointment. I had to wait three days to confirm my fears.

At the results appointment, I was told I had a small, early but invasive ductal tumour. I would need surgery to remove the tumour and surrounding tissue, plus some lymph nodes. Then I would have a course of radiotherapy and maybe chemotherapy as well depending on the pathology results after the surgery.

I didn't have the kind of fast-growing cancer I had read about, but I did have breast cancer.

I cut down completely on alcohol, exercised more and kept a healthier diet.

I opted for a

• breast-conserving lumpectomy
• lymphadenectomy

along with

• radiation
• hormone therapy

I made my choice based on my own research, and my doctor’s recommendation. After my decision, I felt a little anxious and scared.

Currently, I’m in remission, and only on hormone therapy.

I faced issues with fatigue, menopause symptoms, as well as skin soreness and tenderness.

I focused more on lifestyle changes to help manage these side effects. For example, my fatigue meant that I was able to do less and needed to rest more. I didn’t face difficulties financially.

I made permanent changes to my lifestyle, improving my nutrition, eating better all the time, exercising more and continued to cut out alcohol completely.

Everything I did was about self-care and coping. I had no capacity for social activities, I reduced my working hours, my life became smaller and single-minded.

For my family, I have a holiday planned, and tickets for two concerts all this year. For myself, I've set some work goals. I have regular massages, and I’m planning some home improvements

Initially I was motivated to reach my 30th wedding anniversary. That was last September, in 2023. Now I am focusing on year by year, just to enjoy life and appreciate the people I love.

I am still fearful that my life will be shortened by cancer, and I am terrified of recurrence. The fear is present and ongoing. I don't know how to overcome it.

Now I feel more neutral, but also resentful. I was angry about some of my experiences during treatment.

To those on their own cancer journey, I’d like to say: “Every moment is new. The tiniest things can be joyful. I remember, at the depths of pain and fatigue, finding joy in seeing birds fly past my window, in the purr of my cat, the taste of a strawberry.

If cancer has gifted me anything it is the ability to find pleasure in the tiniest moments.”