Fran’s Journey: Inspiring Hope and Support in the Fight Against Stage 4 Breast Cancer

My name is Fran from the UK. I had primary cancer at the age of 35. I underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and reconstruction, and then took Tamoxifen for five years.

From Diagnosis to Determination: Living with Stage 4 Cancer and Building a Lifeline for Others

I kept having a little wheeze and cough and was treated as though I had a chest infection, although I also kept losing my balance. This is classed as having paraneoplastic disorder—when the cancer causes havoc but can’t actually be found on the scans. It was eventually seen in both of my lungs (lung mets).

I’m Stage 4 now with incurable cancer. The life span is 2-3 years, but I’m one of the lucky ones—eight years on and still on treatment.

There wasn’t a lot of support when I was diagnosed, so I set up a support group on social media. It is now the largest support group for secondary breast cancer in the UK, having helped and supported over 3,000 men and women with secondary breast cancer.

Facing Challenges

It’s not been easy health-wise. I’ve had a stroke, a few TIAs, blood clots, and PCP, to name just a few.

I continue to help and support as many as I can, even when members go to the hospice. I’ve never had a nurse to chat to. This is another reason I started my group—to support people going through this awful disease.

Hope and Support

I take Zoladex and Letrozole. So far, I’ve had 100 Zoladex injections administered every four weeks into my tummy. There is hope, there are treatments, and lastly, there is support.

A Message from Learn Look Locate

At Learn Look Locate, Fran’s courageous battle against breast cancer touches our hearts deeply. We are honored to share her story, offering a platform for survivors to come together, learn, and find solace in one another’s experiences. Through our diverse range of resources including Fran’s survivor narrative, our mission is to empower individuals at every phase of their cancer journey. We proudly stand by Fran and all those who demonstrate remarkable courage, celebrating their strength and reminding the world that hope shines brightest, even amidst life’s greatest trials.