Real lives, real impact

Elaine is a colleague at our Wrexham store. She said “It's thanks to the information posters we put up around our store that I checked my  breasts” where she noticed a small lump underneath her right breast. After a check up at the doctors Elaine was referred for a scan. During the wait her skin where the lump was, changed colour and Elaine was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. The worst feeling for Elaine was wondering how to tell her children, as her daughter was taking her GCSEs at the time.  

Elaine's friends rallied together to fundraise for a wig and scarf which was £800 as her treatment resulted in Elaine losing her hair. Our colleague Natasha's son did a sponsored swim to help raise money for Elaine, which was such an amazing thing to do.

Elaine's been free from cancer for the last two years and wants to share her experience to reinforce the message about getting regular checks. The store's community champion Mary said:  "Elaine told me that talking about this she feels like she's talking about someone else and not herself.” But her story really shows the importance of regular checks. Elaine's journey has been a long and painful one and thankfully she is here to tell her story.  

Linda, who is 57 and worked at our Gosforth store for 21 years, said: "Tickled Pink is such a great campaign which is so close to my heart. So, everyone, please, please check yourself regularly – it's so important to catch anything as early as possible."  

Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2013. She said: "I got a letter in the post inviting me for a mammogram. I was 49 which is quite young for a mammogram but I went. It was a mobile unit and actually in the car park in our Asda, so I literally went for my mammogram before I went into work.  

"They took images and then I waited a couple of weeks for my letter. When it came they said they'd found something to be concerned about. Then I had to go to the breast unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where they did a biopsy. To be fair, me and my husband weren't worried. whatsoever. Then I had to wait again and I was invited to an appointment for the results and honestly we were gobsmacked.  

"I was totally shocked. You just don't think it's going to happen to you. Thank God I went for that mammogram that day as it could've developed into something more serious.  

"Fortunately, because it was an early mammogram the lump on my left breast was tiny – only 7mm. I would never had felt it where it was. I didn't need chemotherapy, only  radiation treatment. I had a lumpectomy and they took my lymph nodes out, but I was lucky as it hadn't  spread.  

Linda, who works in our George department, says she really appreciates all the support she's had. She said: "The support I had was unbelievable. The support of family, friends and colleagues is absolute key, and I certainly got it off everybody. Asda were brilliant. I remember vividly that Liz, the people manager at the time, put on a buffet for me in the canteen. I was on the sick and going through my treatment and she did it so that I could see my work colleagues. I will never forget it."  

“My breast cancer story started in 2017 when I was 34. I felt a lump in my breast, but I thought it was a blocked duct from breastfeeding.

“After speaking to a friend of mine who’d  experienced breast cancer, I decided to get it checked by a GP. I pushed for a referral and was later diagnosed with stage 2 grade 3 breast cancer.”

“I had 8 rounds of chemotherapy, a full mastectomy and 21 rounds of radiotherapy. In 2018, I was given the all-clear. Then, in 2022, during a yearly oncology check-up, I felt a new lump. After a biopsy, the doctors confirmed that the breast cancer had come back in my mastectomy scar. I had another 4 rounds of chemotherapy, but I couldn’t continue, as my electrolytes were dangerously low. So, I had a lumpectomy and I’m now taking Herceptin and oral chemotherapy.”

“During my treatment, I felt really scared. I’d had breast cancer twice and my anxiety was overwhelming. But my oncologist, Dr Susan Lupton, was exceptional. Her team and the chemotherapy nurses were amazing and provided me with incredible support throughout my treatment.”

“My cancer specialist nurse, Rebecca, still checks in on me. Together we do our best to take part in breast cancer awareness events. We aim to raise awareness not only within the B.A.M.E. community, but also within the older community, particularly as people above a certain age no longer receive routine scans.”

“I found out about Breast Cancer Now’s Moving Forward course around that time. It’s a course for people who have finished breast cancer treatment, designed to equip us with the tools and insights to move forward with our lives.”

“I was hesitant to go at first. I just wanted to forget everything and not discuss it. But my previous CEO Angela Vernon-Lawson gently encouraged me to attend. She had lost her own brother to cancer, so this meant a lot to her. As a mother, and as someone who understands my community, she felt strongly that I should get support from people who had been through the same experience as me.”

“When I did go, the course helped me enormously. It helped me realise that I needed to move forward rather than bury my head in the sand.”

“I met a bunch of amazing women. Many of them shared very similar issues and side effects to my own, which was incredibly reassuring. The support, guidance and advice provided throughout the course were invaluable.”

“For the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel alone. We still keep in touch too, sharing updates and tips through our WhatsApp group, “Breast Friends”.”

“Awareness is key to survival. I want people to know that looking well doesn’t mean someone has fully recovered. I also want to reach out to Asian and other minority ethnic communities to address the taboo of breast cancer: speak your truth.”

“Don't be embarrassed by hot flushes, hair regrowth, or physical changes.”

“You aren't a burden, and keeping secrets is more worrying than sharing them.”

“Let people support you - it isn't a sign of weakness. Whether it’s hiring a cleaner or admitting when spicy food is too much, be upfront about your needs.”

“If others  don't understand, that is their problem. You fought this battle, but recovery isn’t always straightforward. In the Muslim community, we say ‘God knows how our lives are written.’ Ultimately, God  knows best – so let yourself tell your story.”

When Anisa found a lump in her breast at 22, she never imagined it would be breast cancer. With a medical background, she had a good understanding of breast awareness, but like many young people, didn’t think it was something that could affect her. Now, after undergoing treatment for stage three triple-negative breast cancer, she is using her experience to raise awareness and encourage others to check themselves regularly.

“When I graduated from my undergraduate degree, everything was going to plan. I was ready to take the next big step: getting into medical school. But shortly after graduating, at the age of 22, I was diagnosed with stage three triple-negative breast cancer.”

“I would say I had a really good understanding of breast cancer, but I didn’t think it would impact young people like me. However, at 22 years old, I found myself with a breast cancer diagnosis and a newfound appreciation for understanding your own body.”

“I found my lump completely by chance as someone had mentioned to me earlier in the day that I should check myself, but it’s something I’ve never consciously done before. I knew something wasn’t right. I know my body and I couldn’t ignore my gut so the next day, I contacted my GP who booked me in right away and I was referred to a breast clinic.”

“I will never forget sitting in the waiting room and looking around to see that I was the only young person in the room. I clung to this as an ounce of hope that surely someone of my age couldn’t get breast cancer.”

“The next 12 months consisted of 6 rounds of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. It was the hardest year of my life but I’m so grateful for the support system I had around me. My family and close friends surrounded me with love, strength, and comfort. They reminded me that I wasn’t walking this path alone. Their faith in me carried me through some of the hardest moments of my life.”

“I was surrounded by healthcare professionals who not only treated me, but truly saw me, who listened, who advocated for me, and who made me feel cared for as a person, not just as a patient. I know not every young person has that experience. Too often, breast cancer is still seen as an illness that affects only older women. That misconception can mean that when young people notice symptoms, their concerns aren’t always taken seriously — and that delay in recognition can make all the difference.”

“That’s why visibility and advocacy matter to me so much. Campaigns like Asda Tickled Pink don’t just spread awareness they build community. Through my involvement, I’ve had the opportunity to share my story, connect with other young survivors, and help spread a message that could save lives, that message being the importance of knowing your body, checking regularly, and having the confidence to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.”