• A Bolton radiology nurse is sharing her cancer survival story to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Sharron Sanderson was diagnosed in February 2023 after accepting mammogram invitation
• Sharron, who had no visible symptoms, credits mammogram for saving her life

A two minute mammogram has helped to save the life of a Bolton nurse, who is sharing her survival story to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Despite having no symptoms, Sharron Sanderson accepted her invitation for a mammogram from the NHS’ National Screening Service in early 2023 to rule out any unknown cancer.

To her shock, initial results identified an anomaly in one her breasts and following further ultrasounds, biopsies and MR scans, was told she had an invasive lobular cancer in both of her breasts.

Sharron, a Lead Radiology Nurse at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

I had absolutely no idea, I had no symptoms. I know how lucky I am that I went for my mammogram when I did. 15% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have an invasive lobular cancer, which has a high mortality rate because it doesn’t form a lump and is hard to feel through touch.

In Sharron’s job in radiology she regularly works with and supports those waiting for a cancer diagnosis, but nothing could have prepared her for how it would feel to receive her own diagnosis.

It was a very strange feeling, when you’re told it’s you it was as though the Earth shattered. It felt as though every time I went for an appointment it was more bad news, but my mind-set was that I wasn’t ill. I stayed in work right the way through until my surgery, it was important for my mental health to be able to distract myself and give myself a focus.

Sharron was diagnosed on 14 February 2023 and received her surgery to remove the cancer at the end of May. This was later followed by six months of chemotherapy and then radiotherapy.

Now recovered and back in work, Sharron often reflects on what her life could look like if she hadn’t taken up her mammogram invite.

I’m very fortunate. If I didn’t go for the mammogram I wouldn’t be here now – the cancer would be spreading.

“The mammogram is not painful, just mildly uncomfortable. Two minutes of discomfort saved my life.

“It’s unfortunate to have cancer, but it is always better to find it early. These screening programmes are there to catch it. That invite letter is so important – the sooner you catch it the better the outcome.

Every October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is marked worldwide to show support for everyone affected by breast cancer.

Anyone registered with a GP as female will be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 71 by receiving a letter in the post.

‘I grew to love the new me’

Nearly three years since receiving her diagnosis, Sharron speaks openly about the challenges within her breast cancer journey and the support she received along the way.

Although it was hard to have cancer, the hardest part was the hair loss, as that changed my identity, the scars don’t bother me as they are my signs I’m still here. I’m a survivor. But looking in the mirror I saw a stranger, but you do learn to love this new person, as this person was stronger than I ever knew I was, and I grew to love the new me.

“You get some funky hairstyles. My daughter said on the day I lost my hair, ‘mum you know your head is the shape of a pea’, so even in the darkest times, there are times to laugh, and she was right, so sadly you can guess my new nickname.

After spending many months indoors throughout my chemo it felt suddenly overwhelming when I started to return to a busier life. I returned to work at the hospital on a phased return and Occupational Health and HR were both wonderful and supportive, I cannot fault how I was supported by Royal Bolton Hospital.

More information about breast cancer, including links to help and support, is available on the NHS website.