Peterborough breast cancer survivor's life saving message after raising £70,000

Carol Collier, from Peterborough, is urging the public, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to attend their mammogram appointments and check their breasts after her cancer was detected following her routine mammogram.

Carol has been a dedicated fundraiser for the department ever since she was diagnosed in December 2014 and has raised an astonishing amount of money every year through organising a ‘Ladies Lunch’.

She said: “I have been so impressed with the experience I had that I wanted to give something back. The one thing that I noticed during my care, was that the room where the nurses take you to explain your cancer diagnosis, which I call ‘the bad news room’, was very cold and uninviting. I wanted to try and make it more comfortable and not quite so clinical looking so I decided to raise money to be able to provide the items required.”

Carol now organises an event every year and this year is no different, despite the pandemic. She has arranged a virtual ‘Ladies Lunch’ with an inspirational speaker and will hold a raffle with wonderful prizes such as beauty treatments, spa breaks and hair treatments. The event will be held on Friday 4 December 2020 and will be broadcast via Zoom to subscribers signing up to join in and take part. Details are available here.

Carol’s cancer was treated early and she is now cancer free, but she is urging the public to ensure that they check their breasts, raise concerns with their GP and make sure that those eligible for screening attend their appointments.

She said: “I didn’t know I had cancer and just went for my mammogram appointment, but it is so important that people access the care that they need.”

Claire Hall, Breast Care Nurse Specialist, for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Carol for the fundraising that she has done for us. We have used the donations to redecorate rooms within the Breast Unit to make them more welcoming and also purchased specialist equipment used in theatre by our Oncoplastic Breast Surgeons, which will all benefit patients treated for Breast Cancer.

“It is so important to make sure that you check your breasts monthly and contact your GP if you notice any changes. The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the outcome.”

Things that you need to look out for include:

a lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit

changes on the surface of the skin, such as puckering or dimpling

any changes in colour, shape or size of the breast or breast pain not associated with monthly periods

discharge from the nipple

a change to the nipple itself such as the nipple becoming inverted