“CANCER JOURNEYS” – STORIES
Fran & Vicky’s stories – Living with secondary breast cancer
Secondary breast cancer is when cancer cells from a cancer that started in the breast, spread to other parts of the body. The cancer that started in the breast is called primary breast cancer. Secondary breast cancer is also called advanced breast cancer or metastatic...
Paula’s story – Breast cancer
Breast cancer – it’s not just about the lumps and bumps Former MP Paula Sherriff knows only too well that detecting breast cancer isn’t just about finding a lump. As a women’s health campaigner, Paula, is aware that any changes that are unusual and persistent,...
Claire’s story
I missed my smear test because of Covid – Cancer Champion Claire Stewart talks about how her diagnosis with cervical cancer has led to her passion to raise awareness. For busy mum of three Claire Stewart, missing out on a smear test didn’t seem the end of the...
Katie’s story
Katie Storey I was always up to date with my smear tests and even remember ringing the GP just before turning 25 asking if they could book me in. All my smears were fine until I turned 31. My results following this showed as HPV positive - which by all accounts isn't...
Zoe’s story
Cancer Champion Carol Beardmore explains what motivates her to speak out about cervical cancer and campaign for better access to screening for people with learning disabilities and autism When there’s a problem some people walk away and some people roll up their...
Ric’s story
Retired welding engineer Ric Myers from Leeds is passionate about raising awareness of lung cancer. Ric, who is a Champion with the Cancer SMART initiative which we run in partnership with the West Yorkshire & Harrogate Cancer Alliance, was keen to be interviewed...
David’s story – Kidney cancer
When retired senior manager David Blunt spotted blood in his urine, he said he was a ‘typical man’ and ignored the signs. David, who lives outside Huddersfield in rural South Kirklees, first noticed the signs in February last year, but dismissed them as ‘just a drop...
Mariam’s story
All her life, Mariam Jandad from Batley, has been used to pushing through barriers to achieve her goals. As a young schoolgirl, she wanted to pursue studies in interior design, but ended up going into a clothing factory, which was seen as acceptable work for a woman,...
Tracey’s story
Mother of two, Tracey knew something was wrong when she started to experience severe aches and pains and visited her GP. Tracey, who lives near Pontefract, West Yorkshire, spent 18 months visiting her GP surgery with various vague symptoms which included aches and...
Karen’s story
Wakefield woman Karen Kilcommons spotted our flyer appealing for Cancer Champions and decided she would like to volunteer. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2018, Karen learned it had spread to her lymph nodes and liver, meaning she will be on...
Sandra’s story
Teacher Sandra Hudson is a terminal bowel cancer patient being treated at the Bexley Wing at St James’s in Leeds. She loved her job, but had to retire on ill health grounds. In January 2017 she had a prolapsed womb meaning that in April she had to have a hysterectomy....
Noel’s story
During Lockdown I became reacquainted with a wonderful blog which proved the perfect antidote to the coronavirus craziness going on in the world. Stripey Anne’s Blog – the ramblings and rants about something and nothing is a delightful and joyful account by Anne...
Kate’s story – Bowel cancer
One of the key messages of the Cancer SMART initiative, that we are currently delivering with West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance, is to be aware of unusual and persistent changes to your body, and contact your GP if you are concerned. Kate Bartholomew, a...
Rian’s Story – Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Rian Harvey may only be 22-years-old but he is wise beyond his years. Positive, upbeat, inspirational…a young man on a mission to talk to as many people as possible about cancer and tackle a few myths in the process. That’s why he made a perfect guest for You...
Steve’s story – Gamers Beat Cancer
“Let’s Have More Game On, Than Game Over” Being diagnosed with cancer is a lonely time. Receiving hospital treatment – often in isolation – leaves the patient disorientated and removed from contact with normal life. In March 2019, Steve Bracewell’s life was changed...
Jayne’s story – Lymphoma
I am Jayne, I am 61 years old and live just outside Bradford in the village of Wilsden. I am a Keighley girl (If I can still be classed as a girl at my age?) and am a single parent to two girls, Lisa 40, who is married and lives in Keighley, with her husband Andrew...
Karen’s Story – Ovarian cancer
Sunovary – a new group for Ovarian Cancer patients Former NHS worker Karen Varley said her whole life has been ‘tinted’ by cancer – with her mum, a grandparent and other relatives all receiving a cancer diagnosis. Karen who lives near Wakefield, was diagnosed...
Gill’s story – Ovarian cancer
Pet cat Humbug was the cat-alyst to get a GP check up When ovarian cancer patient Gill Kelly’s story first appeared in her local newspaper, she became a media star overnight. “ A media frenzy broke out with local and national papers all wanting an interview as well...
Andrew’s story – Pancreatic cancer
A lifelong Grimsby Town fan is used to attracting stares thanks to the "daft" pink inflatable he always carries with him before games. Andrew Markham, 64, from Brigg, North Lincolnshire, greets fans heading to Blundell Park with the strange object. It is something he...
Janet’s story – Pancreatic cancer
New adventures were beckoning for Janet Pawelec, who was looking forward to retiring from her stressful and demanding job managing an Ambulance Control Room in York to spend more quality time with her husband, a former paramedic. But before she had the chance to put...
Karen’s story – Pancreatic cancer
Know your body and be aware of any changes that are unusual for you – that’s the message from Karen Stead as she recalls being diagnosed for pancreatic many years ago. Back in 2010, she had been feeling ‘pretty rubbish’ and feeling sickly, severe abdominal...
Gordon’s story
A health check saved my life -Canon Gordon Dey Retired Canon (Church official) Gordon Dey was moving house from one area of Bradford to another part of the city when he was called for a well man check. The check-up was part of the induction to join his new GP...
Owen’s story
My story – Owen Davies When my ‘Bloods’ results came back, and my brilliant new doctor told me there were a couple of things he wanted to check and probably rule out. A scan and a biopsy later, the specialist passed me onto the nurse at the Centre with the news...
Richard’s story
I’ve had cancer twice – but I was very lucky they both could be treated when caught early Keen sportsman Richard Seddon arrived for our interview in Leeds on one of the hottest days of the year looking a picture of health despite having cycled 12 miles from his Yeadon...
Denton’s story
When Sheffield man, Denton Wilson was recovering from prostate cancer treatment, he decided to grow his hair, as a symbol of getting back to good health. Now more than 20 years later, he has shaved off his dreadlocks to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. Denton...
Kevin’s story – Skin cancer
Stories of Cancer and Hope IT worker Kevin, an ambassador for Melanoma UK, has compiled stories from patients and their families about their experience of cancer. He has compiled a book called Stories of Cancer and Hope, to bring hope and comfort to those living with...
James’s story – Oesophageal cancer
On a road to self-destruction – before being diagnosed with cancer Bradford man, James Barraclough was on a road to self destruction before his cancer diagnosis. Facing redundancy and a relationship breakdown and struggling to pay his mortgage, he began to depend...
Bob’s Story – Oesophageal cancer
A cancer journey - seen through a lens For passionate photographer and community artist Bob Clayden there was never any doubt about how he would make sense of a cancer diagnosis. When facing life’s difficulties, Bob from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, says he...
Jacqui talks to Paula Guanaria about her role of 25 years in fundraising for cancer charities
Check out this short podcast with Paula Guanaria
Nicola’s story
Referrals to cancer services were drastically reduced during lockdown as many patients decided to put off seeking help for health concerns until the pandemic was over. One Northallerton mother of three, is determined to do all she can, to raise awareness of the need...
Julie’s story – Breast cancer
Bradford mother of one, Julie Norman will be forever grateful to the NHS. During Covid-19 she was rapidly fast tracked by GP referral to diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. She’s telling her story because she’s aware that people stopped going to their doctors...