I’m so glad I got checked out for breast cancer

A breast cancer survivor and mother-of-two from Suffolk is urging others to take some time to check their breasts during this month’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Whilst cuddling one of her children, Julie Kerridge, pictured below, who works for the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, could feel there was something not right with one of her breasts and knew it was important to get checked out, so she made a GP appointment.

Julie says: “It was a conflicting time as on the one hand I thought, it’s nothing, it’ll pass. But really, I knew there was something not right and that it was important to take action and find out if there was anything wrong.

“I’m so glad I made that GP appointment. My GP was brilliant. I was referred to Ipswich Hospital to have a mammogram and ultrasound scan.

“Unfortunately, a 5.6 cm tumour was discovered and one of my breasts was removed. I’ve undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy and had three reconstructive surgeries. The hospital staff showed such kindness and compassion and I’ll be forever grateful for how they looked after me.

“There’s no doubt that the last few years have been an incredibly challenging time, but it has all been worth it as, at the end of it all, I am alive and cancer-free and am still able to cuddle my children.

“If I hadn’t made that GP appointment when I did the likelihood is that I would be dead and my children would be without a mother.

“That’s why I say to every woman, and man, since breast cancer can affect us all, to regularly check themselves over. Symptoms include a lump or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit, puckering or dimpling to the skin and a change in colour to the breast.”

Visit the NHS website for information on checking your breasts – How to check your breasts or chest – NHS (www.nhs.uk)