Nurse encourages women to check their breasts regularly as part of National Breast Awareness month

One of our district nurses who was declared cancer-free last year is encouraging people to check their breasts regularly as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Emily Blackburn was diagnosed with grade three, triple positive, invasive ductal carcinoma in July 2021.

She raised more than £3,000 for the Coppafeel! charity by taking part in a 100km trek across Northumberland in June.

She joined celebrities including Giovanna Fletcher and Emma Willis for the five day walk to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Emily, who works for North Uttlesford Integrated Care Team, said: “It is so important for people to be aware of the importance of checking their breasts, regardless of age or gender which is why Breast Cancer Awareness Month is so important.

“Having the awareness and education on the symptoms and what to look out for can help detect early breast cancer and can help save so many lives.

“I found a lump in my breast, which coincided at a time when I already had a doctor's appointment. If I hadn't had that doctor's appointment, I'm not sure how long I would have waited to get it checked.

“There was no concern and was told it was most probably a cyst but any lump has to be referred to the breast clinic.

“Two weeks later at the breast clinic, I was examined by several doctors where I was still told it was just a cyst but was offered an ultrasound to be sure.

“During the ultrasound I knew it wasn't good news. They found three tumours and the original lump I found wasn't the aggressive one.

“Biopsies were taken and I was told to return to the clinic instead of having a phone call and I knew the results wouldn't be good. If this had happened two years previously, I would have not had an ultrasound because of my age.”

Emily underwent chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy and finally finished active treatment on 25 April 2022, when she was declared cancer-free.

She added: “I’m currently on hormone therapy, which means I have been put into a medically induced menopause to prevent reoccurrence.

“It is scary to think that this could have ended up so differently if I had not mentioned it to the doctor or it had happened a couple of years before.

“Whatever your age please check your boobs and never feel silly for getting it checked out.”

Emily is now thinking about trying to do a quiz night once a year with all proceeds going to Coppafeel! She has also been selling sweets and snack packs to colleagues to help raise money.