Helen Addis was fit, healthy and preparing for her 40th birthday but amid setting up decorations and planning her party she made a sinister discovery while getting changed
Now 46, the TV professional from Surrey where she lives with her husband Mark and their children Archie, 15, April, 13, and Belle, 11, shares her personal journey…. “I was the same age as Sarah Harding when I received my breast cancer diagnosis, which sent shivers down my spine. She was just so young. Far too young. Like many others, Sarah delayed visiting the doctor after discovering her lump, and by the time she received her diagnosis, it had metastasised. Girls Aloud’s Sarah, who tragically passed away at 39, generously donated profits from her book to breast cancer research, leaving behind an incredible legacy.
Her loved ones must be immensely proud. My own encounter with breast cancer started in April 2018, amidst preparations for my 40th birthday bash. Organising gin, setting up decorations, and arranging childcare were my main concerns back then. However, everything changed one day when I discovered a lump beneath my right nipple while moisturising,” reports OK!.
I wasn’t overly concerned given my relatively young age, fitness level, and lack of family history with cancer. Assuming it was hormonal, I still scheduled a GP appointment. My doctor referred me to a specialist for further investigation. Shockingly, over the next two weeks, another four lumps emerged.
It’s absolutely vital to regularly examine your body for any irregularities. In just those two weeks, four more lumps developed… which made me realise how rapidly mine was spreading.
I had a mammogram, biopsy and an ultrasound, and three days later I went back to the consultant to hear the dreaded words, ‘You have grade 3 breast cancer.’ While I switched into practical mummy mode, my husband, who was with me, broke down in tears. I felt betrayed by my own body, as if I hadn’t earned this fate.
Thus, on what should have been a celebratory milestone birthday, instead of hitting the dance floor with pals, I was recuperating from a mastectomy and bracing myself for a gruelling schedule of 15 rounds of chemotherapy, 16 rounds of radiotherapy, and 17 rounds of hormone therapy.
To explain the situation to my kids, I likened it to how they get verrucas on their feet, saying I had something similar in my boob. My eldest, Archie, hit me with the hard truth, saying he knew cancer could be deadly. That conversation was one of the hardest I’ve ever had. When they questioned my mortality, I couldn’t face the thought of death, so I reassured them, perhaps mistakenly, by saying no.
April was in tears one day because she thought, ‘Dad was reading a book about dying.’ In reality, she’d seen Mark with a Complete Guide To DIY manual and misunderstood!
Cancer soon became a regular topic in our household. Belle even brought my prosthetic breast to school for show and tell something I only discovered when I emptied her backpack! After the initial shock wore off, Mark rose to the occasion, becoming my rock throughout the chemo. We proved to ourselves that we’re quite the team.
On my darkest days, it was the drive to raise awareness that kept me going. I initiated a campaign named Change And Check on the ITV show Lorraine. As a result, 48 women reached out to me, stating that it had assisted them in detecting cancer early. However, I’ve also lost friends.
I’m fervently committed to ensuring the next generation grows up with body awareness. My daughters are already well-versed in how to check their breasts. I’m incredibly grateful that I discovered mine early and can’t stop urging everyone on my Instagram @thetittygritty to do self-checks (I’m sure I’m a constant nag!)
I launched www.the-c-list.com to provide support for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. The site features beauty gift sets and products recommended by fellow cancer patients and approved by medical experts.
Chemotherapy wreaks havoc on skin, hair, and nails, so it’s crucial to use products that don’t irritate the newly sensitive skin. Additionally, the site serves as a support community offering tips, tricks, and advice to help people navigate one of life’s toughest journeys. Every month, we donate a beauty goodie bag to a cancer patient, which is the highlight.
When I received the all-clear, I felt a wave of gratitude, but there’s always a sense of looking over my shoulder. I take pride in the fact that despite my body being essentially poisoned by the treatment, I’m still here to share my story.
