Louise’s experience

I was diagnosed with stage 3 primary breast cancer in January 2022, when I was 33 years old. I had an ultrasound, mammogram and a biopsy on the 23rd December 2021, and the results on 7th January 2022 confirmed my diagnosis. Since then, I have been through 14 rounds of chemotherapy, major surgery, radiotherapy and I have more chemo and endocrine treatments to come. 

In order to get some support from others in my position, and come to terms with my diagnosis, I joined a few online forums and a breast cancer Facebook group. However, I found the information shared often quite distressing to read. Support groups in my local area, such as those run by Macmillan, were attended by mainly older women who were 50+. I asked my breast care nurse at the hospital where I was diagnosed for a recommendation of support groups for younger women and she directed me to Shine

I visited the website and lodged my interest in the charity. I was contacted by Clare, who explained that the team running the charity all had their own personal experiences with cancer, and after their recovery, felt they needed to help other people. Although I was very sad to hear of other people’s suffering, I felt this personal experience would enable us to relate to each other on a genuine level. 

When I joined the Shine Break Out programme, I had weekly zoom meetings with ten others with different cancers. We discussed the whole journey involved with a cancer diagnosis, including: coping with difficult emotions such as isolation and loneliness, relationships with others, self-esteem, uncertainty and loss.  I found it useful to talk to others who had experienced the same emotions, for example, the initial shock of the diagnosis, how it is ‘all consuming’ and changes so many aspects of your life. I could relate to the others’ anxieties about their treatment, particularly chemotherapy and surgery. The sessions were often delivered in a light hearted manner and we all had a giggle at times.

We discussed proactive, positive ways to help ourselves through the journey and shared these with the group. Visual aids were also shown in the meetings to help us understand why were feeling a certain way, and I found these very useful. 

After our virtual sessions finished, a WhatsApp group was set up, including all members of the group, so we could still talk to each other for support. 

I would encourage anyone with a cancer diagnosis in their 20s, 30s or 40s to sign up as everything is worth a try and you will definitely benefit from the peer support. There is no pressure to discuss anything you don’t feel comfortable with in the meetings, and you can say as little or as much as you like. It is organised in a sensitive, professional and confidential manner, so you are free to express yourself emotionally and there are no judgements at all. I am very glad I signed up and I still receive the benefit of their ongoing support.