'I never thought cancer would affect our family'

A mum who found a lump while breastfeeding her daughter is celebrating the end of her chemotherapy treatment.

Chelsey Saunders, 33, had six rounds of treatment after being diagnosed with a high-grade aggressive breast cancer in March. Her final dose was on Thursday at the Cathedral Day Unit at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, and she was able to ring the bell to mark the occasion.

It does not mean the end of her treatment though, as Chelsey will now have targeted antibody treatment in a bid to keep the cancer at bay.

The mum of three, from Folkestone, works as a senior assistant sleep physiologist for East Kent Hospitals and said her colleagues had provided exceptional care.

She said: “They have been fantastic. Everyone has been really empathetic and caring.

“I have been treated so kindly and I haven’t come across one person who didn’t deserve a five-star review. It has been incredible to see how the NHS works when you need them as a patient.”

Chelsey also had support from her sister Kayleigh Benson, who is a lung cancer support worker with the Trust. And the sisters’ experience will also benefit other patients in the future, after Kayleigh reached out to Dover-based charity Preloved Reloved Cancer and Beyond. It was founded by Jo Knight, a fellow breast cancer survivor who provides headscarves, wigs and other accessories free of charge to people undergoing cancer treatment.

Jo has also put together packs for patients who opt for scalp cooling treatment to try to preserve their hair, which are now available from the Trust’s chemotherapy units.

Kayleigh said: “I never thought cancer would happen to me or anyone in my family, but it did.

“Going through that experience with Chelsey has given me more insight to help my patients. I was empathetic before, but I never really knew how hard it was to go through chemo, and to feel like your life is falling apart.

“I have seen the psychological impact first-hand and it has given me so many more tools to help my patients. It has been fantastic to connect with Jo as well; the financial impact of cancer is often underestimated and headscarves and wigs can be an extra cost some people just can’t afford.”

Chelsey added: “Losing your hair can feel like you are losing a part of your femininity, so it was wonderful to be gifted a real-hair wig from Preloved Reloved.

“Jo also sent a selection of headscarves which meant I could match them to my outfit and that helped me to feel more like myself again.”

Chelsey is encouraging others to speak to their GP if they have any concerning symptoms.

She said: “When I found the lump I thought it was nothing, particularly because I was breastfeeding.

“But luckily I decided to go to the GP and they found another lump. I had no other symptoms that would make you think you needed to speak to someone.

“There was a little swelling under my armpit that I thought was a reaction to having a cold. I was also tired and had a bit of backache, but I put that down to being a busy working mum.

“Cancer is so much easier to treat if it is caught early so please don’t put it off if you have any concerns.”

Cancer patients are also supported by East Kent Hospitals Charity, which has committed funding of almost £150,000 towards cancer services across the Trust in the past year. Their most recent donation funded hand-held fans for patients at Cathedral Day Unit to help keep them cool during the very hot weather. Find out more about the charity at www.ekhcharity.org.uk