Content note: This article tells Bev’s story and includes her personal experiences of cancer, hospital treatment, serious medical complications and the physical and emotional impacts of living with cancer. Please read with care if these topics may be difficult for you.

 

 

Bev is one of Cambridgeshire ACRE’s incredible Cancer Champion Volunteers for our Fenland Community Cancer Champion project. As a cancer survivor, Bev chose to volunteer because she understands firsthand how overwhelming and frightening a cancer diagnosis can be. She wants to help others navigate the healthcare system, access the right support and know they are not facing cancer alone.

Bev has kindly shared her story to help others understand the reality and complexity of a cancer journey and to encourage people to speak up when they feel something isn’t right. Despite everything she has faced, Bev’s positivity, determination and desire to help others remain truly inspiring.

 

A long road to diagnosis

In 2024, Bev was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, a rare, fast-growing and aggressive form of breast cancer. However, it took more than a year for her diagnosis to be made.

Throughout that year, Bev repeatedly visited her GP with symptoms including unusual tiredness, pins and needles in her hands and legs, unexplained swelling and a recurring facial rash. It wasn’t until she discovered a lump in her breast and armpit that she was urgently referred for tests. Three days after her biopsy at Peterborough Hospital, she was told she had cancer.

Bev describes that moment as devastating. Having recently lost her father to cancer, the news felt overwhelming.

“All I could hear was the word cancer.”

One of her first thoughts was her 12-year-old son and having to tell him the news – something she describes as the hardest part of all. After receiving her diagnosis, Bev says there was no follow-up support call or check-in. Her next contact was to arrange her first treatment appointment.

 

Treatment and serious complications

A week later, Bev began treatment, receiving a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Almost immediately, she experienced severe side effects including hair loss, facial sores, redness and extreme bowel problems.

Despite raising concerns, Bev was reassured that the symptoms were normal and continued treatment. Following her second round, doctors identified that she had developed a perforated bowel and colitis – a life-threatening complication linked to her treatment. She received a call from her cancer nurse and was told to attend A&E immediately.

Bev was admitted to hospital and remained there for four months. During this time, all cancer treatment had to stop while doctors focused on treating the bowel complications.

 

Surgery and ongoing challenges

As her cancer continued to spread, Bev’s case was discussed by a multidisciplinary team. With treatment paused, surgeons made the decision to operate.

Bev underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery. Following surgery and treatment for the bowel complications, she was discharged home but remained extremely unwell.

Her recovery was complicated by infection and repeated hospital admissions. On one occasion, the surgical site burst unexpectedly, requiring emergency treatment and another stay in hospital.

 

The financial impact

Alongside the physical and emotional challenges of cancer, Bev was also facing significant financial worries. Despite being seriously unwell and spending long periods in hospital, her application for financial support was declined because she did not meet the eligibility criteria.

With household bills to pay and concerns about making ends meet, Bev felt she had little choice but to continue working whenever she was physically able. She often worked in between hospital admissions and treatments, determined to help support her family and avoid financial hardship.

The added pressure of worrying about finances while navigating a life-threatening illness created another layer of stress during an already incredibly difficult time.

 

More hospital admissions

One of the most frightening moments came when Bev returned home after a night shift and was sitting with her son when she suddenly lost all feeling in her legs. Her son called an ambulance and she was rushed to hospital, where she was diagnosed with sepsis.

Again, Bev faced a lengthy stay in hospital. One of the hardest moments was celebrating her son’s 13th birthday in the hospital canteen rather than at home with family.

 

Finding support and speaking up

Throughout her treatment, Bev received support from the Hunts Community Cancer Network. One volunteer encouraged her to raise concerns about the persistent redness and sores on her face with her consultant.

As Bev later learned, inflammatory conditions ending in “itis” can be particularly serious for people receiving immunotherapy. Their advice helped ensure her symptoms were properly investigated and treated.

This experience reinforced the importance of speaking up and seeking support when something doesn’t feel right.

 

Living beyond cancer

Further reconstruction surgery was not possible due to the amount of tissue that had needed to be removed. As a result, Bev is no longer able to have routine mammograms and instead relies on self-checking and reporting any concerns promptly.

Today, Bev is in remission and incredibly grateful for that. However, she says that the fear of cancer returning never completely disappears.

The impact of treatment continues. Bev now lives with arthritis, is highly susceptible to infections and still receives treatment for colitis. She feels there is often limited support available once active cancer treatment ends and is deeply grateful for the support she received from friends, family and the Hunts Community Cancer Network.

 

Staying positive

Throughout her journey, Bev remained remarkably positive. She believes her mindset helped her through some of the darkest moments and many of the healthcare professionals involved in her care commented on her strength and resilience.

She is especially thankful for the unwavering support of her family and friends, particularly her husband, Pete, who she describes as her “rock” and who has supported her every step of the way.

Despite everything she was facing, Bev continued working whenever she could while managing lengthy hospital stays, major surgery and ongoing treatment. She even completed her Level 3 Adult Social Care qualification during this time. Having something positive to focus on helped keep her going.

Today, Bev has returned to full-time work, volunteers as a Cancer Champion and continues to give back to others facing cancer. Earlier this year, she also raised money for the World Cancer Research Fund by walking 100 miles in February.

Bev’s story is one of extraordinary resilience, courage and determination. By sharing her experiences, she hopes to help others feel less alone, encourages people to seek help and ask questions and reminds us all of the importance of speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have Bev as part of our team. Her honesty, positivity and commitment to helping others make her an inspiration to everyone she meets.

 

Could you help someone facing cancer?

Our volunteer Cancer Champions provide information, encouragement and a friendly face for people affected by cancer. You don’t need personal experience of cancer to volunteer, just compassion, a willingness to learn and a desire to help others.

We offer a range of volunteer opportunities and would love to hear from anyone who wants to make a difference in their community. Please get in touch to express your interest by completing our online form or contacting Kathy Davey, Macmillan Village Agent via email (kathy.davey@cambsacre.org.uk).