Behind every breast cancer diagnosis is a personal story.
As we raise money for Breast Cancer Now, Sarah Woodyatt, Regional General Manager – South West at Mabey Hire, has kindly shared her own experience of discovering a lump, receiving treatment and ultimately reaching her five-year all-clear.
By sharing Sarah’s story, we hope to raise awareness of the importance of early detection while supporting the life-changing work carried out by Breast Cancer Now.
Sarah’s story
It was a Saturday like any other at the end of November 2020. I was lying in bed when I suddenly felt a lump in my breast. It wasn’t a big lump and it wasn’t visible, but there was definitely something there. I asked my husband to feel it, and he agreed. We immediately spoke about getting it checked out. You see, I had experience of breast cancer. Twenty years earlier, my mother had been diagnosed. She underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and, thankfully, is still with us today. So, I knew there was no way I could ignore it.
I decided not to tell anyone until I knew for sure what I was dealing with. As it was a Saturday, I had to wait until Monday to contact my GP. The very next day, another sign appeared. I noticed a crease along my breast, right where the lump was. Again, I asked my husband to look and he confirmed it was something new. I knew enough about the signs and symptoms to realise this wasn’t a good sign.
I got an appointment on the Monday which, due to my family history, came through quickly. My GP agreed the lump needed further investigation and referred me to the local breast clinic, telling me I should hear something within three weeks.
As we all know, 2020 was an incredibly busy time for the NHS, and the weeks passed by. After three weeks, I received a call from my GP surgery. They explained that, due to COVID, the local breast clinic wasn’t taking any new patients until at least February. The receptionist was very apologetic but there was nothing more she could do.
Then she said something that has stayed with me ever since: “Could you go private?” Suddenly, I remembered signing up for private medical insurance year after year, never imagining I’d actually need to use it. I immediately said yes, and she arranged the referral.
That first conversation with the concierge team at WTW was fantastic. They provided a list of surgeons at a private hospital in Cardiff, and I quickly secured an appointment for 6 January 2021.
At that first appointment, I had a mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy.
The following week, I was told it was cancer. I also learned that the tumour was around 5cm. Dr Goyal was absolutely brilliant. He recommended a lumpectomy, which is an operation that removes the cancer while preserving as much breast tissue as possible, rather than a mastectomy, which removes the breast.
He gave me a surgery date there and then: 26th February. I was instructed to self-isolate for the two weeks beforehand, and Mabey Hire were brilliant, allowing me to work from home during that time.
I always say that the weeks before my diagnosis were worse than being diagnosed itself. It’s the not knowing that gets you. That’s when all the dark thoughts creep in, and it can feel overwhelming.
I told my sister what was happening, but I didn’t tell anyone else, including my mother, until I knew for certain. Once I had the diagnosis, it almost felt out of my hands. All I had to do was follow the instructions and show up for the operation.
A week after surgery, I was told that the margins were clear, the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes, and all I needed was a course of radiotherapy to make sure everything had been caught. I continued to have yearly check-ups, all covered by the medical insurance, and this year I received my five-year all-clear. I’m still on medication for another five years, but I’ll gladly take that.
Even though I had experience of a close family member going through breast cancer, I wasn’t as diligent as I should have been about checking myself. I sometimes wonder if I hadn’t happened to find that lump by chance, would I have caught it as early as I did?
That’s why I’m passionate about raising awareness of the signs and symptoms, and encouraging people to contact their GP if they notice anything unusual. Don’t ignore changes in your body or worry about wasting anyone’s time. You know your body better than anyone else.
Early detection really does give you the best chance.
Support our fundraising
Sarah’s experience is a powerful reminder of why awareness, early detection and support matter.
This October, colleagues across Mabey Hire are taking part in fundraising activities to support Breast Cancer Now and the incredible work they do to provide support, fund research and help people affected by breast cancer.
If you’d like to support our fundraising efforts, any donation, large or small, will help make a difference.
Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/mabey-hire-5?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL