A breast cancer survivor says eating a mince pie saved her life after she noticed a lump while patting crumbs off her chest. Julie Pickering had secretly tucked into a festive treat before an evening meal and was trying to hide the evidence from her kids when she felt an unusual lump.
The 39-year-old college lecturer was diagnosed with grade three triple-negative breast cancer in January this year. Julie said: "I didn’t even know there were different types of breast cancer. I just thought breast cancer was breast cancer.
“Little did I know I had an aggressive form and if it wasn’t for the crumbs off the mince pie, it could have been a different situation today.”
Following treatment Julie is classed as having "no evidence of disease" and is now planning to run a half marathon to raise funds for a breast cancer charity. The mum-of-two had to undergo gruelling rounds of chemotherapy before surgery due to the aggressiveness of the cancer.
After six rounds of treatment, she decided to have a double mastectomy with implant reconstruction. Julie also credits regular exercise throughout her cancer journey to being “very beneficial” for not only her physical health, but her mental health too.
She also decided to use a cold cap – a hat that is worn during some chemotherapy treatments – and is grateful her hair is growing “thick and fast” now. Julie added: “Once I had gotten over the initial shock of the cancer diagnosis, I decided it wasn’t going to control my life.
"We all shed many tears and worried for the future, but I had to be strong and get on with it. My family, friends and workplace were there to offer help, and with support from my manager and HR, I was able to work around chemotherapy.
"From my colleagues to the staff at Walsall Healthcare, who are true angels in a uniform, I will forever be grateful. “Breast cancer can happen to anyone. Young or old, healthy, or unhealthy. I was young when I was diagnosed, and I was fit and healthy.
"Cancer does not discriminate. It doesn’t care about your age, religion, sex, job title, or if you’re healthy or not. Monthly checks need to be done, know what is your normal.
"If you do find anything seek medical help and always advocate for further testing or second opinions where needed.”
Jayne Kanwar, lead breast care nurse at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust. has supported Julie pre and post-surgery. She said: “We’re grateful to Julie for sharing her story – not everyone feels able to and her journey is one that many women will identify with.
"She is a busy lady with a young family and a demanding job and I think her story reminds us of the impact that such a diagnosis can have on so many aspects of someone’s life. People have to consider work, finances and their families as well as the health challenges of cancer, and we’re here to support them throughout."
To sponsor Julie for her London Landmarks Half Marathon, visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/julie-pickering9.
