Julie Grabham was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine breast screening appointment. Since her diagnosis, she has launched a campaign to encourage the government to make changes to legislation to allow employees paid time off for their breast screening appointments. We caught up with Julie to find out how a breast cancer diagnosis led to her award-winning campaigning. I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in November 2022, following a routine breast screening appointment. Little did I know that that appointment would change my life. I was probably the fittest I had been in a ..read more

32 year old Jemima Olding carries a PALB2 gene alteration, which means she has an increased risk of developing breast cancer. To help raise awareness and spend more quality time with her family, Jemima took on the March 31 walking challenge for Prevent Breast Cancer. I was tested for the faulty PALB2 gene in early 2023. This was due to my father and also my auntie carrying the gene. My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer several years ago. He underwent keyhole surgery to have the prostate removed. My auntie was first diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 50’s and has had breast can ..read more

Loretta Mooney has joined Prevent Breast Cancer’s 100 Club to raise the final funds urgently required to build the National Breast Imaging Academy, which will provide more screenings, more staff and more research. Over the next year, Loretta, a Financial Planner, has committed to raising an incredible £10,000 towards the building of this life-saving Academy, which will be an extension of The Nightingale Centre, the home of Prevent Breast Cancer. Having been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, this is a cause incredibly close to Loretta’s heart. As she embarks on her fundraising journey ..read more

You wanted to know what a breast cancer free future means to me, but it’s what it means to the world. Think of all the women, the mothers, the daughters, the sisters, the aunts and the cousins worldwide impacted by this horrible, horrible illness. We’re proud to announce actress Sue Cleaver has joined Prevent Breast Cancer as a patron. She will work alongside Coronation Street co-stars, Sally Dynevor and Victoria Ekanoye, to help raise the charity’s profile and awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the importance of screening. Sue, who has played Eileen Grimshaw on Corona ..read more

A new Artificial Intelligence (AI) breast screening solution, called Mia, has recently been piloted at NHS Grampian to identify tiny signs of breast cancer, that would be otherwise hard to spot with the human eye. The tool, funded by a UK government ‘AI in Health and Care Award’, was tested alongside NHS clinicians and analysed the mammograms of over 10,000 women. The tool successfully highlighted all cases where breast cancer was present and supported doctors in finding breast cancer in an extra 11 women that the doctors did not identify. When cancers are at their earliest stage, they can be ..read more

Colin Taverner is taking on this year’s Tour de Manc and cycling 100 miles for Prevent Breast Cancer. In our latest blog, he tells us about his wife’s devastating diagnosis and his hope for a breast cancer free future. On 29th December 2022, my wife Mandy received the news that she had breast cancer.  She’d noticed a subtle visual change on one of her breasts and consulted with her GP in mid-December. The GP didn’t think it was anything to be concerned about but referred her to the breast clinic at Leeds St James’ Hospital, just to be on the safe side.  As it turned out, both Mandy ..read more

The Chair of Prevent Breast Cancer, Eamonn O’Neal, has been chosen by King Charles as the next High Sheriff of Greater Manchester. The appointment of Eamonn was formally announced by Buckingham Palace earlier on this week and he will take up his ceremonial role next month. In an unusual move, the father-of-three, from Sale, will be installed as High Sheriff for a second time, having previously held the position in 2020. This is unique in the history of Greater Manchester, as Eamonn has now been appointed by two different monarchs. He will be installed as High Sheriff in April, succeeding Mary ..read more

Sue Murby was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 48, two years younger than the age mammograms are normally offered. In our latest blog, she tells us how she turned her breast cancer diagnosis into a positive thing, including joining a breast cancer dragon boat team.  I’m ashamed to admit that I never checked my boobs – especially as there was no family history at all. One night I just couldn’t get to sleep and crossed my arms in frustration and that’s when I felt a lump on the outside of my right breast; had it been in any other location I wouldn’t have felt it and that’s a sobering thou ..read more

One Lump or Two? – a brand new podcast that’s not afraid to laugh (and cry) in the face of breast cancer. Featuring two women and three boobs, ‘baldly’ tackling life’s darkest moments. Kate Hargreaves and Shelley Syme were total strangers but practically neighbours when they were both diagnosed with breast cancer. After a chance encounter, the pair soon forged a lasting friendship and now the unlikely duo have launched a brand-new podcast about what it’s really like getting a cancer diagnosis as a young adult – something that is rarely covered in the media. Shelley, diagnosed at the age of 29 ..read more

If you’ve visited The Nightingale Centre over the past 10 years, or took part in one of our events, the likelihood is that you’ve spoken to Janet Royle. One of our much-loved and glamourous volunteers, who at the same time is very much down to earth, with more than a hint of affable cheekiness and a glint in her eye. It’s hard to believe that in January of this year, she turned the big 80. To celebrate this milestone and to mark thirty years since her initial breast cancer diagnosis, Janet has made a significant donation to Prevent Breast Cancer. Anyone who knows Janet, will know that she has ..read more