“After my breast cancer diagnosis, all I wanted was to be alive to see my daughter make it to big school”
It won’t be the first time Debra Rice has taken part in the Cancer Focus NI Pink Run, but this year holds a special meaning. As she picks up her pink pack and prepares her t-shirt for race day, the 10th anniversary logo will be front and centre, an important milestone for the charity’s event. And Debra will be celebrating a special 10 year anniversary of her own.
The Belfast mum didn’t think she would see this day, when 10 years ago in September 2015 she was delivered the heartbreaking words that no one wants to hear: ‘you have breast cancer’.
With two aunties having passed away from breast and ovarian cancer, Debra had been attending a family history clinic at Belfast City Hospital, and before her diagnosis had been getting check-ups for nine years. So, when she was called back for more tests including an ultrasound and biopsy, she panicked.
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Debra said: “It was totally out of the blue, an absolute shock. I hadn’t felt any lumps or bumps, and I was feeling fine. My oncologist assured me that it had been caught early, it was a very small 18mm tumour.
“I was then tested for the BRCA 1 gene fault, which came back positive. I also had triple negative breast cancer, which is very common with BRCA. My mind was racing, my daughter was only 7 years old at the time, and all I could think about was missing out on all of the important milestones in her life. I wished more than anything I would make it to see her go to secondary school. I wasn’t thinking beyond that.”
Once Debra learned she was a carrier of the gene, she says it was a no brainer for her to have a double mastectomy and hysterectomy to give herself the best chance of survival, and the lowest risk of the cancer returning. Now 10 years later, Debra is here and cancer free, while her daughter Emma is preparing for her A-Levels.
It was all too fitting that Debra and the Pink Run, a flagship event for breast cancer awareness and raising funds for life-saving breast cancer support services, celebrate their 10 year anniversaries together.
She knows first hand the importance of local women having access to breast cancer services.
“I remember the cancer treatment and surgeries were really tough, but one of the biggest hurdles for me, was losing my hair during chemo. It was only 3 weeks after my first cycle that my hair started coming out in clumps, that’s when I really cried.”
She continued: “That’s why it is so important to have somewhere to turn during those difficult moments, Cancer Focus NI provides counselling and support groups for women who are dealing with all these struggles and help them navigate their emotions. When I met with one of their bra fitting specialists after my mastectomy, it was amazing to know I was with a professional who understood what I was going through and what the perfect fit looked like for me. It was invaluable.”
As Debra excitedly prepares for race day, with her daughter and husband close by, she looks eagerly towards the future, finally able to feel a sense of relief.
“It takes a long time to feel like you can take a breath. After you finish your treatment, it takes years to not feel like every niggle or pain isn’t a sign of the cancer returning. Even around year six or seven I felt the most anxious, with no regular checks to put your mind at ease you are often left worrying about something being missed.
“Getting to the 10 year mark feels like such a triumph, looking back at the last Pink Run, Emma was still so young and so much was unknown. Now I can’t wait to run shoulder to shoulder with my family and other women who have been touched by breast cancer, just like us. It’s going to be a special day, and I can’t wait.”
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland’s mission is to support local people on their cancer journey and this October they encourage local people to Go Pink to support the 1 in 8 local women who will be dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis. The charity’s highly in demand breast cancer services include counselling, family support, bra and swimwear fitting, and specialist support groups.
Just £50 could pay for a one-hour consultation with a bra & Swimwear Fitting specialist, helping to give a woman back her confidence after treatment or surgery. To host your own Go Pink Fundraiser, visit cancerfocusni.org, email fundraising@cancerfocusni.org or call 028 9066 3281.
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