Breast cancer survivor has head held high thanks to charity

A brave breast cancer survivor has turned her life around thanks to the support of a local cancer charity.

Pauline Corner, 68, of Millhouses, Sheffield, overcame breast cancer seven years ago, but found coming to terms with the disease difficult to deal with, having lost her mother to cancer when Pauline was just 21.

When she found Weston Park Cancer Information and Support Centre, funded by Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, it transformed her life.

After attending a routine screening, doctors confirmed the tumour in her breast and removed the cancer and some lymph glands, before putting her on a 5-week course of radiotherapy.

Pauline, who is speaking out during October’s breast cancer awareness month, said: “When I was first told I had cancer, I couldn’t believe it. I felt overwhelmed and because I live on my own I found it so difficult to talk to people about what I was going through.

“My Mum died from cancer at the age of 50 which was terrible, and she never spoke about it. Eventually I had to ask her GP what was wrong with her because it was seen to be wrong to talk about it then. After that I always thought I would die at the same age from the disease.”

When Pauline saw a notice at Weston Park Hospital, where she was being treated, for a course called ‘Positive about life’, at the Cancer Information and Support Centre she knew it was just what she needed, as it offered a chance to talk about her experience.

She said: “I was so sad and depressed, but by going to the centre I could discuss anything I felt was important to me with other people going through a similar situation, and it helped me move on to the next stage of my life.”

The Centre, based at the Weston Park Hospital site, has a variety of courses which help patients and carers, and anyone affected by cancer can drop-in to get help to deal with symptoms, issues and practicalities concerned with the disease.

Pauline adds: “I work out a lot now and I love it. I still see my consultant and everything’s fine. I take time out to do the little things that make all the difference which the centre helped me to do, such as having my hair and nails done which I experienced when we had a beauty day on the course.”

“I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to get screened. I know a lot of people are frightened and don’t want to know, but if you catch it in the early stages like I did, something can be done.

“With fantastic facilities like the Cancer Information and Support Centre, it helps take away the fear of talking about the disease and I’d like to say a big thank you to the charity for helping to provide such excellent services.”

Rachel Thorpe, charity director at Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: “It’s always fantastic to see people like Pauline who have come so far and really benefited from the brilliant facilities the charity helps to provide.”