Women diagnosed with breast cancer despite no symptoms thank UHDB teams and urge others to attend 'life saving' routine screening
Across South Derbyshire and South East Staffordshire, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) deliver breast screening services to approximately 30,000 women every year. Routine screening is offered to all women aged between 50 and 71 every three years, however, 30% of people choose not to attend, and may be unknowingly living with cancer.
Judith and Julia are two women who did attend their routine breast screening appointment, and were diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, despite having no symptoms. For Breast Cancer Awareness month, they are sharing their stories to encourage other women to respond to the lifesaving invitation.
"Screening saved my life"
Judith Loveridge from Heanor felt fit and healthy when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2021.
After attending a routine mammogram in Ilkeston, Judith received a letter saying she needed further investigations including another mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy and doctors found she had Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) an early form of breast cancer.
Despite the diagnosis being scary, Judith said she was pleased that the disease was picked up and she was given the chance to treat it before it got worse.
Judith said: "I understand that screening may be scary and daunting for some people, but it was equally as scary knowing that there were no symptoms and I had no idea what was happening in my body. If I had not gone for that screening who knows how much it would have grown and how bad it would have been. By the time I found it, it might have been too late to fix.
"If anyone is putting off regular screening please do not ignore your invite, it takes five minutes and the alternative could cost you your life."
Doctors told Judith that the cancer was in two areas of her right breast and she would need a skin-sparing mastectomy, a surgery which removes the affected breast tissue and leaves the healthy breast skin.
Judith said “It was a blur and a whirlwind of emotions. I was able to choose a skin-sparing mastectomy, meaning I could have reconstruction at the same time. Nothing can ever prepare you for that kind of news."
Judith underwent the operation in March but in April results showed the cancer had spread into her breast tissue and she needed to have some lymph nodes removed from her armpit to check if the cancer had spread any further.
The cancer was found to be ER positive and HER2 positive, which means it can be stimulated to grow by the hormone oestrogen.
As a result, Judith needed treatment and underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy, Herceptin injections every three weeks for 12 months and is now on medication to prevent the disease returning.
She said: "I knew I needed to do whatever it took to get through it and I felt incredibly supported. Every single person, from the radiographer to the breast nurses were amazing, they were so reassuring and really looked after me."
Judith has now had the all-clear of cancer but remains on medication to help her body produce less oestrogen.
"Take any preventative measures offered to you - it could save your life"
Echoing Judith's plea to attend screening is Julia Jones, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in July this year.
Julia said she was shocked to discover that there has been a decline in the number of women attending screening and urged them to take a proactive approach for their own health.
She said: "I think because people cannot see or feel something is wrong they assume there is no cancer but sadly I am proof that you can have it, without symptoms and that is why it is so important.
"In the past when I have felt aches in my breasts I have always had them checked, even when I have not been in the country, because I understand what is at risk.
"You need to be as safe as you, can. Take those preventative measures, check yourselves and attend your screening - it could save your life."
Julia said she always attended her check-ups, whether it was the dentist, cervical smear or breast cancer screening, with a view that "it's for my own health, no-one else's" so when she received an appointment for the mobile breast screening unit in Alfreton, she attended without hesitation.
However, the following week Julia was shocked to receive a follow up appointment to attend the Breast Care Unit at Royal Derby Hospital.
Julia said: "I was surprised but my first thought was that if something wasn't looking quite right with my mammogram, that I should be checked over to get a clean bill of health."
At the appointment Julia underwent a further mammogram, an ultrasound and had two biopsies taken from her left breast.
A few weeks later she was recalled to the breast clinic for her results and was delivered the devastating news that she had Breast Cancer. Julia had two different types of tumour that were oestrogen and progesterone positive, which means hormones were stimulating the cancer to grow.
A month later following discussions with her breast care nurse and consultant, Julia underwent a left breast, nipple and skin saving mastectomy and immediate reconstruction which removed the affected breast tissue and rebuilt a new breast using implants or tissue from another part of the body.
Julia said: "It was really surreal. I had never spoken to anyone about cancer before and certainly never thought I would get cancer, even though statistics show many of us will deal with cancer in our lives."
Julia said that she did a lot of research about what to expect so that she could feel like she 'had control in a situation where she has no control.'
She said: "Everyone is different and everyone will deal with cancer in their own way. But for me I wanted to know what I was dealing with and I took every leaflet I could so I could be informed about what to expect. It is a really difficult, scary time but in my opinion it's better to know the problem has been discovered early through breast screening and can be effectively dealt with so you can get the treatment and care you need as soon as possible."
Jackie Conway, Lead Breast Care Nurse at UHDB, said women should be checking their breasts for changes once a month and should always take up screening as a precautionary measure.
She said: "We see first-hand the difference screening can make in detecting cancers at an early stage. There are things women can do to take their breast health seriously including checking their breasts regularly and getting to know their own breasts so they can spot any changes, and taking up the invitation for screening.
"The screening process takes less than 10 minutes and you will receive your results within 2-3 weeks."
We understand that for some people screening can be scary but our colleagues are here to support you, answer any queries and worries you may have. We want women to attend screening as early detection can make a big difference and can save lives.
What happens at your breast screening appointment?
During breast screening you'll have four breast X-rays (mammograms), two for each breast.
The mammograms are done by a specialist called a mammographer. The mammographer will be female.
The mammograms only take a few minutes.
Before starting, the mammographer will check your details with you and ask if you have had any breast problems. They will also explain what will happen during the screening and answer any questions you have.
How breast screening is done
Breast screening is usually done by 1 or 2 female mammographers. You can ask them about any questions or concerns you have.
- You'll need to undress, in a private changing area, so you are naked from the waist up.
- You'll be called into the X-ray room and the mammographer will explain what will happen.
- The mammographer will place your breast onto the X-ray machine. The breast will be compressed between the X-ray plate and compression paddle. This takes a few seconds and you need to stay still.
- The X-ray machine will then be tilted to one side and the process will be repeated at a different angle.
- Your other breast will be X-rayed in the same way.
- You will then return to the changing area to get dressed.
Your results will be sent to you in the post.
How should a breast self-exam be performed?
Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform regular breast self-examinations.
For women who are still menstruating, a breast self-examination should be performed around a week after the period ends.
While mammograms can help you to detect cancer before you can feel a lump, breast self-examination helps you to be familiar with how your breasts look and feel. If you notice any changes in your breasts, such as a new lump, changes in the appearance of the skin, irregularities or nipple changes, please consult your GP.
There are three steps necessary to perform a thorough breast self-exam. Each of these steps should be completed each time you perform a breast self-exam.
1. In the Shower
With the flat of your hand, check the entire breast and armpit area, pressing down firmly. Check both breasts, feeling for any new lumps, thickenings, or any other breast changes.
2. In Front of a Mirror
With your arms at your sides, visually inspect your breasts, looking for any changes in the contour or shape of the breasts, any dimpling, swelling, or other skin irregularities on or around the breasts, or any changes in the nipples.
Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Look for any dimpling, puckering, or other changes. Note that the left and right breasts will not exactly match!
3. Lying Down
When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out along the chest wall. Place your right arm behind your head, using your left hand, move it around your right breast, covering the entire breast area and armpit.
Repeat these steps for your left breast.