Greta Watkins

My story is one of hope. To rid society of this awful disease that seems to affect all families, but I feel I am so lucky.

I am now 93 years of age, and I am enjoying life. I have so many good and loyal friends which are so important to me.

My mother was only 51 years of age when she died of ovarian cancer, I was 31, and she begged to be nursed at home until she passed away. I was happy I was able to do that for her. This was in the early 1950’s, when there was no cure.

Two years ago, when in bed my hand went across to my right breast and I felt what I thought was a lump. It wasn’t how I thought a lump would feel. I have a very good memory and this took me back many years to when I was 17 years of age and my mother’s friend had breast cancer. I remember she explained it was the size of a pea… which she tried to pick out! Sadly, it was cancer and it spread all over her body.

If I was examining my breast for cancer I would have looked for a small pea like lump. However, the lump I felt was very different, as big as my thumb, like feeling a muscle under the skin. I then felt a little worried.

I knew Professor Roy because I had seen her when I had problems with a leakage on my other breast. I had had a mammogram and was told it was nothing to worry about, but this time it was different.

Cancer is a word everyone dreads to hear. However, when told I had breast cancer, my reaction was strange. I have heard of women that when told the news they cried for a couple of weeks, but as I had already dealt with the grief of my mum dying and also nursing my husband who had Parkinson’s, and eventually died with cancer, I had coped with everything life had thrown at me so far and thought “I’m a tough old bird”, so with the help of Professor Roy, I can cope with this.

I had a lumpectomy, which of course I was quite worried about, but this lovely lady was so kind and reassuring that I could not thank her enough. I then needed five sessions of radiotherapy.

I really feel to catch the symptoms early is so important. If you suspect a problem, seek help, because it will not go away.

I am one of the lucky ones.