A 45-year-old mother from Ruislip, west London, shared her emotional journey after being diagnosed with lobular breast cancer. Vicki Poole, a marketing agency director, first felt a sharp pain in her breast during a yoga session in December 2021. Following tests, she received the cancer diagnosis in February 2022.
Scans revealed a 10cm by 4cm by 6cm tumor in her breast and “two suspicious” lymph nodes in her armpit, but fortunately, the cancer had not spread. She underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy, which led to a heart arrhythmia, requiring hospitalization.
Subsequent treatments included radiotherapy, hormone therapy, and heart surgery. In July 2024, she noticed bleeding from her left nipple and abnormal skin patches, leading to a decision for a mastectomy on her left breast.
Vicki, who lives with her husband and children, expressed her initial fear of not being there for her kids and the challenges she faced during her treatment. Despite the hardships, she emphasized the importance of early detection and encouraged others to seek medical help if they suspect any breast abnormalities.
Breast Cancer Now has initiated a £1 million research project focused on lobular breast cancer to improve treatment options. For more information, visit www.breastcancernow.org.