CHECK IN AND CHECK YOURSELF

"Travelling to beautiful destinations like Barbados, The Canary Islands, and Menorca can actually be a great opportunity for women to take care of their bodies and potentially catch any signs of breast cancer early. The relaxed atmosphere and reduced stress levels while on vacation can make it easier to notice any changes in your breasts, like lumps or differences in appearance. Even simple things like putting on sunscreen or trying out a new sunbed position could help you spot any symptoms.

We've heard from four amazing women who discovered their breast cancer while on holiday. This summer, the BooBee campaign is partnering with MAG to remind women to stay aware of their breast health while they travel. Let's make sure we take care of ourselves, even while enjoying a well-deserved break!"

Jackie - “Lying on my sunbed, I started to think about my own personal wellness. I also began thinking about my breast health. I'd always been good at self examination but due to the stresses and strains of life I couldn't remember having checked myself in the last couple of months.,”

I never thought for one minute that I’d find myself sitting here with a story to tell… My life is, I consider, fairly run of the mill. I’m a 59 year old, married mum of 3 grown up children and a stepson. In between all the stresses and strains of running a business and a family I never stopped to think that something that I take so much for granted could be taken away from me…my health…because I simply don’t have the time to be ill! I’m like most of us I guess. I enjoy a few too many glasses of wine, plenty of good food and battle at the gym to compensate. I’ve never smoked and always tried to look after myself without depriving myself of a good time! I’m not really a lady who lunches but certainly a girl who likes to have fun and I’ve sat many times at charity events to help raise money for good causes, much of the time this has been for cancer charities and in particular one that I never thought would affect me….. Breast cancer. I always dig deep at the raffle and the auction and help as much as possible as, after k all we all know a friend or a friend of a friend who has been affected by this dreadful disease. Personally, I lost one of my closest school friends to Breast Cancer 9 years ago at the age of 49. She was one of the very unlucky ones. Her breast cancer was aggressive and it took hold of her body in a very short space of time. It was heart breaking for us all to stand by and watch helplessly and it was the first time that I really started to think about my own mortality as I fast approached 50.

50……oh yes….many of you girls will know only too well what comes with that magical age: Hot flushes, night sweats, foggy brains, gym sessions that hurt more than ever ,as well as the hangovers that take longer to get over and of course the first NHS letter inviting you to attend a mammogram. I got mine, I went and it was of course perfectly clear. I didn’t think about it again. 3 years drifted by and on holiday in late October 2018, lying in the sun contemplating the impending nightmare that is Christmas, my husband and I discussed how 2019 was going to be a year of good health. Lying on my sunbed, I started to think about my own personal wellness. I wanted to get fitter and feel more energetic. My HRT was doing wonders in lots of ways but I needed to go back to my GP and have the dosage tweaked as I was feeling constantly tire d. I read up on which supplements I could take and how I could boost my diet. I also began thinking about my breast health. I'd always been good at self examination but due to the stresses and strains of life I couldn't remember having checked myself in the last couple of months. That evening I stood in front of the bathroom mirror and had a good feel. Everything seemed fine, no obvious lumps but even so I had a strange feeling. An uneasiness that I hadn't experienced before. I worked out that my mammogram was overdue so I called my GP to follow up on it. On the 7th December I went along to Warrington Hospital, which has an excellent Breast Screening unit and after a lot of extremely uncomfortable squeezing and squashing I left feeling pretty relieved that that would be it for another 3 years.

Then I got a letter a week later to say they needed me to go back for some more tests as the results had been unclear. But not to worry as this was very common. I did worry….. I googled it!! In fact I googled it to death! However, I concluded it was nothing. I felt no lumps, I had no dimples or discharge, I had dense breast tissue, that’s what I had. I was fine and more importantly I had a Christmas party to organise on 23rd December!! The 23rd December was brilliant. Fun, family, friends…fantastic food, way too much fizz and a very late night!! Feeling slightly ropey, I returned to the hospital at 10.10am on Christmas Eve for my repeat tests, it meant we had plenty of time to do a quick dash for last minute provisions to M&S on the way home. When I walked into the room, I just knew. There were two doctors and they both looked glum. Two biopsies later and my whole world came crashing down. “I am sorry to tell you, but you have cancer…you have it in 4 places in your right breast” “We don’t think it has spread to your lymph nodes but it’s going to be a MASTECTOMY!!” “It’s better to know now than have it hanging over you for Christmas…” At least that’s what I think they said…I just heard the words “Breast cancer” and after that it's all a blur.....Happy Christmas Jackie!!! In spite of the huge shock, we managed to get through Christmas Day without saying a word to anyone and we delivered the bombshell on Boxing Day. There were tears of course but my family reminded me how strong I was and how I was going to face this head on and not let it beat me. I had their love and support and that’s all I needed. The whole of January passed in a complete haze. I felt numb. My husband Rob was amazing. He immediately leapt into action researching who was top of the game in the North West for Breast cancer surgery. Through a friend’s recommendation we were led to my wonderful surgeon at the Spire Hospital in Manchester. Within the following 3 weeks I had 2 surgeries to remove the sentinel lymph node and then the whole breast and and reconstruction. After an anxious wait, to my utter joy I found out from my oncologist at the Christie Hospital that as the cancer had been contained wholly in the breast, I didn’t need to have Chemotherapy or radiotherapy, instead I would receive Hormone therapy for at least 5 years. I felt extremely lucky!!! If I hadn't been on holiday and taken the time to think about my health I may not have remembered about my mammogram and the outcome may not have been so good. I'm happy to say that 5 years on I have now stopped treatment and have had a clear mammogram every year. My experience has humbled me and made me determined to do everything I can for myself to help prevent the cancer from ever coming back. I'm looking after myself and prioritising my wellness but I am still living life to the full and enjoying every day as it happens. Next year is the big 60 and I cannot wait!!!!