Jane
On the face of it I would be low risk.
Jane Taylor was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. After making a full recovery, she is determined to turn her experience into a positive one and spread the importance of being breast aware.
Jane originally took part in Prevent Breast Cancer’s BreastFest 2019. This campaign was the brainchild of Prevent Breast Cancer Patron, Margo Cornish, and saw 100 women, affectionately known as BooBees, who had been affected by breast cancer, join together to spread awareness and fundraise for a future without breast cancer.
Jane is keen to continue the important work that was started in 2019 and has once again come on board as a BooBee ambassador as part of our newest campaign – BooBee’s Big Campaign 2022.
She has now very kindly shared her breast cancer journey with us and described the impact that Breastfest had on her and why she decided to get involved again this year.
Can you tell us about your diagnosis?
In the summer of 2016, I attended a Maggies’ catwalk event and sat and listened to the stories of the people who took part, never thinking it would happen to me. Just a month later I found a lump and so began my journey.
Attending the event had made me more aware of checking and not just relying on the mammogram that had been clear just 6 months previously. At first the consultant thought it was a cyst, but with each encounter, the news got worse.
I had no family history I know of and have always kept reasonably fit. Yes, I have had a drink or two, but rarely to excess. On the face of it I would be low risk. That’s why researching into possible causes is dear to my heart.
Can you tell us about your treatment?
I ended up with a lumpectomy, then chemotherapy and then radiotherapy followed by a year of Herceptin injections and 10 years of hormone treatment.
Having worked as a nurse at The Christie in my twenties, my dread and fear was chemotherapy and to hear that I had to go through it and lose my hair was as devastating as the diagnosis.
The treatment was brutal, but it saved my life. It stripped me of my self-esteem, but I’m here today, retired, and enjoying life.
Cancer also brought some good side effects which sounds peculiar, but I have met so many amazing and inspiring people from all walks of life, and many are now firm friends.
What inspired you to first get involved in BreastFest?
Having taken part in a Maggies’ catwalk, when I heard of this campaign, I just had to be a part of it. If we can prevent one case or help someone find their breast cancer early, when it is treatable, then we have been successful. Through the campaign, I was able to support and inspire other women.
Why have you come on board as a BooBee again, and what do you hope to achieve from this new campaign?
I am again happy and honoured to take part in this year’s Prevent Breast Cancer Boobee’s Big Campaign. I am 6 years post diagnosis and during that time, I have seen great strides in breast cancer treatment, but the main focus should be preventing it.
There are still too many women suffering, and although survival rates are so much better, we still lose too many people to this disease.
Taking part in these events raises awareness and ultimately saves lives.
Cancer also binds us together and we end up as one big supportive family.
And we have fun doing it…now that can’t be bad!