Cassie's story
At the start of 2023, I noticed my left breast had changed shape. Although I was aware of it, I put it down to weight loss and aging, but by July, while on holiday, I could no longer ignore it - it was retracting up my chest. The night before my GP appointment, I did a breast check for the first time and felt what I thought was a lump.
Walking into the surgery the next morning, I knew in my heart that something wasn’t right.
My GP’s reaction confirmed my fears “I need to make an urgent referral to the breast unit as I don’t like what I see.”
Two weeks later, I underwent ultrasounds, mammograms, and biopsies. I left the hospital fearing the worst. Seven days later, my consultant called me back. Sitting alongside my two best friends, I heard the words: “Cassie, I’m sorry, but you have breast cancer.”
To say my life changed forever that day—August 7th, 2023—is an understatement. I was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer. The ultrasound revealed two tumors, one 2.5cm, the other 11mm. My treatment plan included eight rounds of chemotherapy, a mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction, and radiotherapy. To reduce the risk of recurrence, I was put into medically induced menopause, as my cancer was fueled by estrogen.
In November 2022, I completed a gruelling 100km trek across the desert with 100 other courageous women.
The adventure bug had bitten. Last October, I found myself walking 100,000 steps along the Great Wall of China, raising funds for Suited and Booted, a charity providing interview clothing for disadvantaged men. From navigating uneven steps designed to trick ancient enemies to eating gigantic persimmons in a local market. China was quite the adventure.
In five years, at 53, I've packed in experiences I never dreamed of – modelling for This Morning, demonstration topless outside Parliament for a life-saving breast cancer drug, speaking at Macmillan's annual reception and conquering my fear of public speaking, and raising nearly £20,000 for various charities.
Cancer showed me that life is precious, and I'm determined to make every moment count. My story isn't just about surviving cancer; it's about discovering that we're capable of so much more than we imagine.
Sometimes life's greatest challenges lead us to our greatest adventures and just maybe this was who we were always meant to be. Find out more about my story on my Instagram account.
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