Jasmine’s Breast Cancer Journey
After breast cancer treatment and reconstruction, Jasmine drew on her strength-training background to recover and is now using her experience to support others.
For all the highs and lows. We’re here for it.
Anne was 51 when a routine mammogram led to a breast cancer diagnosis. After surgery and serious complications, she began looking forward to a cancer-free future – only to be diagnosed again months later, this time with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Now in remission, Anne is drawing on her experience through the St Bartholomew’s Hospital Patient Advisory Group and her creative film-making. She hopes to help other patients feel less alone and support better breast cancer care for the women who come next.
Watch Anne’s story
Before her diagnosis
In summer 2023, Anne had just returned from Sweden, where she grew up. Busy with her doctorate, work and family life, she went for a routine mammogram without expecting anything unusual. The results showed that she had ductal breast cancer. Anne had previously received life-saving heart care at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and returned again for her breast cancer treatment.
It was absolutely the last thing I expected. I was told that they would need to remove some breast tissue, so I decided to have a mastectomy on the one breast because I didn’t want to take any chances.
– Anne
Diagnosis and treatment
After her mastectomy, Anne’s recovery became complicated when her blood-thinning medication caused problems. She needed several further operations and, at one point, developed a life-threatening bacterial infection.
Anne recovered and began looking forward to a cancer-free future with her two children. But only months later she was diagnosed with breast cancer again — this time with TNBC, a more aggressive type of breast cancer.
“That was, of course, really hard to hear. And that’s when I thought that maybe it’s spread and I won’t be so lucky this time. It feels as if cancer was a dream that I only half woke up from. How many chances at life will I be given?”
Anne went through several chemotherapies that pushed her physically and emotionally to the edge. At one point she was so depleted that she could not stand and had to crawl out of bed.
Through it all, she was grateful for the staff at St Bartholomew’s Hospital who supported her, particularly her surgeon Laura, oncologist Melissa and lead nurse Amie.
“One of the great things about Barts is it’s such a personal hospital and you really get to know the people there. They were always there to answer my questions. They’re all such amazing people.”
Anne and her husband
Supporting our ‘Here for it’ campaign
The people at the heart of our Here for it campaign, like Anne, are sharing their experiences to show what breast cancer can mean beyond a diagnosis, from treatment and recovery to family, uncertainty and the everyday moments that matter most.
By supporting this campaign, you can help Barts Charity invest in the people, research, equipment and innovations that improve breast cancer care before, during and after treatment across East London.
What are you here for?
Anne at the St Bartholomew's Hospital square
“I’m here for more time, my family and making healthcare better for more women.”Anne
Life now and what comes next
Despite everything she has faced, Anne is now in remission and looking forward to the future. She is also a member of the St Bartholomew’s Hospital Patient Advisory Group, where sharing her experience has shown her how patients can help shape care for others.
“You feel like you’re not alone. It’s not just you – everyone’s been through something traumatic, and there’s real solidarity in the group. We hope that together, maybe we can make it better for the next person.”
Breast cancer gives you the feeling of prolonged stages of uncertainty and the fragility of life.
Anne
What the Breast Cancer Centre means for women like Anne
I think the centre is just wonderful. It is very much needed to support women from all backgrounds to feel independent and comfortable when undergoing treatment. Being able to have that consistency of care like I have experienced at Barts is so important, and I think the centre will make this possible for many more women.
The Barts Health Breast Cancer Centre brings specialist care, research and support together, giving patients greater access to specialist treatments and creating the conditions to improve the whole breast cancer pathway. Patients will have access to specialist surgery and reconstruction, oncology, imaging and supportive services, alongside greater opportunities to participate in research and access cutting-edge treatments.
We're here for it. Are you?
Donate today and help more women like Anne access the care and support they need.
