“In January 2019, age 24, I found a lump in my breast and the GP referred me to the hospital for a scan. However, the hospital said it wasn’t anything serious. For 18 months, they thought it was just a harmless hormonal lump that didn’t need further investigation.
“Fast forward to 2020 – I was in the shower and noticed dimpling on my skin where my lump was and thought I needed to get it checked out again. I ended up at another hospital for a rapid diagnostic test and that’s when they diagnosed me with breast cancer. It felt like everything crashed around me.
"When I had further scans, doctors discovered I had another tumour growing from my skull. They believed that this had spread from my breast cancer and I needed to have brain surgery. I was given a life expectancy of just two years at the time - I refused to accept that I would only live until I was 27."
Fran’s CyberKnife treatment at The Royal Marsden
"After my brain surgery, I was referred to The Royal Marsden. My first meeting with Professor lan Smith was amazing. He told me he’d make no promises but he would treat me with “curative intent”. He restored all the hope I needed - I suddenly felt safe and no longer alone."
Fran underwent chemotherapy and was put onto a targeted therapy drug called abemaciclib, which prevented further growth of the cancer. Targeted therapy examines the genetic makeup of an individual’s cancer, enabling clinicians to choose treatment which directly targets the specific characteristics of their cells and allows for a more effective treatment with potentially fewer side effects.
She also had radiotherapy using the CyberKnife, a state-of-the-art radiotherapy machine which was funded by generous supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
CyberKnife uses a robotic arm to deliver radiotherapy with pinpoint accuracy and is able to treat tumours which cannot be reached using more traditional forms of radiotherapy. With its greater intensity and precision, Cyberknife radiotherapy requires fewer treatments in comparison to standard radiotherapy – in some cases, a reduction of up to 90 per cent. In addition, the accuracy of the radiation beam helps to minimise damage to healthy tissue around the tumour site, which is particularly important for patients like Fran, with a brain tumour.
Teams at The Royal Marsden also use CyberKnife technology in research to improve radiotherapy treatments across a range of cancers.
"The CyberKnife sounds intimidating but I completely humanised the machine – it looks like a Pixar robot – and I think it’s absolutely incredible what it can do! I was told that without Cyberknife treatment I probably would have lost my sight, so I’m hugely grateful that I was offered it.”
A brighter future
In September 2021, just a year after being referred to The Royal Marsden, Fran was told her cancer had gone – her scans showed no evidence of disease: “I was given the news that I was in remission! I had always dreamed of the day I would get a clear scan, but never thought it would come so soon.”
“I had been working in the fitness industry for many years but whilst going through treatment I qualified as a Cancer Exercise Specialist. I find it so rewarding using my own experiences to help others and I'm now taking the next step in my career, something I had dreamed of but thought cancer had taken from me. I’ve just started back at university where I am training to be a physiotherapist. My goal is to one day work at The Royal Marsden, so I can help patients who are going through the same thing I did.
“I celebrated my 30th birthday in 2024, which is a milestone I didn’t think I’d reach. I’ve learnt so much about myself over the past five years and I’m so thankful to be where I am now.
“I still take medication twice a day to keep the cancer from coming back. I experienced entering a medically induced menopause in my mid 20s but felt supported by my team throughout it all. I'll likely be on these drugs for a number of years, but it's become a normal part of life for me now."
Fran is passionate about supporting The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity as a way of saying thank you to the hospital that saved her life.
“Since I went into remission, I’ve supported The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity by sharing my story and speaking at events. I think it’s so important for people to hear from patients like me, who have directly benefited from the services and staff that supporters fund. The Royal Marsden saved my life and I’m so grateful.
“I’m keen to show the positive outcomes of fundraising and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity is a cause very close to my heart.
“In 2025 it is five years since my diagnosis, and I have now been cancer-free for over four years! I’ll be forever grateful to my oncologist, Professor Ian Smith, and everyone at The Royal Marsden. They saved my life.”
Visiting the Ever After Garden
Fran also visits the Ever After Garden every year and dedicates roses in memory of her two friends.
Each year, the Ever After Garden provides a tranquil haven where everyone everywhere can remember treasured friends and family they have lost. Over the festive season, Duke of York Square in Chelsea will be transformed by over 30,000 illuminated white roses. Each rose is dedicated in memory of a loved one, and a donation is made to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
"It really is a breathtaking sight when you look out over 30,000 white roses that light up in the square. I dedicated roses to Diana and Richard, two people who were also patients of The Royal Marsden and became dear friends. They were inspiring to everyone who met them and are greatly missed every day.
“I’ve been attending the Ever After Garden for a number of years now, so I was really excited when I heard that it was opening in a new location in Chelsea for 2025. The garden is always such a tranquil space, and every rose tells a different story. It is beautiful to be able to walk through the garden, take a moment to breathe, and to think about your loved ones.”
Dedicate a rose
You are invited to donate and dedicate a rose in memory of a loved one, in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Thanks to your support, we can continue to make life-saving research breakthroughs and develop new and better treatments for cancer.
Find out more about the Ever After Garden and dedicate a rose today.