Mother of two Natalie was just 43 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2019. She has had various treatments at The Royal Marsden, including a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and a double mastectomy, as well as taking part in two clinical trials, both supported by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Natalie is supporting our campaign with Omaze for the Cotswolds house draw. Here, she shares her experience – from diagnosis to raising over £7,700.
"I came to The Royal Marsden and we decided on a lumpectomy. The tumour was just under 2cm and they removed it all but after my surgery, the results showed that the cancer had also spread to my lymph nodes. I had something called LVI, or lymphovascular invasion, which means the cancer had gone into the blood vessels. They decided the next step was chemotherapy."
“The team also found I had the BRCA2 genetic mutation, which put me at higher risk of developing some cancers. Learning I had the BRCA2 mutation was difficult, but having that knowledge is empowering and gives my children options too.”
“As the mutation could affect how well chemotherapy worked, my treatment was adapted to give me the best chance of success. After completing chemotherapy, I began preventative treatment to lower the risk of the cancer returning. The next step was surgery to remove my lymph nodes and a double mastectomy, which I had about six weeks later.”
Thankfully, following this treatment, Natalie went into remission. She continued to be monitored by her team.
Life-saving research detected a relapse
In 2023, Natalie joined the TRAK-ER trial, which is supported by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity thanks to generous support from Le Cure. The trial uses personalised blood tests to try and determine which breast cancer patients will relapse, before it’s shown on a scan. It does this by monitoring levels of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), which is DNA from cancer cells that is released into the bloodstream.
As a result of this trial, Natalie’s cancer relapse was detected in 2024. It had spread to her bones and liver.
“I found a lump in my breast which I presumed was hormonal. I went to the GP who sent me to the Breast Unit at my local hospital. They told me on the same day that they were 99% sure it was breast cancer. A week later, they confirmed it was. I was super healthy and fit. I’m a dance teacher and was running marathons and really looking after myself, so my diagnosis came as a huge shock.”
A whirlwind treatment plan
“I was hospitalised for a month as amongst problems with my kidneys and my lungs, my liver was failing. I was dying and it all happened so quickly. My oncology team worked together in not just saving my life with science but with everything they had. Their love and fierce determination that my daughters were not going to be without their mother yet gave me that extra strength and hope which is very powerful for a cancer patient.”
“I can hand on heart say that without The Royal Marsden I would not be here talking with you today. It is a fast growing cancer so I am forever grateful that we caught it when we did thanks to the TRAK-ER trial, which is set to help prevent breast cancer returning for people in the not-too-distant future.”
Natalie went on to receive further treatment as part of the FAIM trial. This trial, which also involves ctDNA testing, is studying the addition of a drug called ipatasertib in patients who show signs that they may not be responding well to standard treatments for advanced breast cancer.
This was followed by a few months of Olaparib, a type of targeted therapy, and she is currently on active chemotherapy treatment: “I’m on a daily chemotherapy tablet called Capecitabine which is keeping my cancer stable and enabling me to live a fairly normal life.”
“Since being a patient at The Royal Marsden I have accessed so much more than the standard treatment of care. It is important to them that you are treated as a real person with a unique story. This was even more apparent as an inpatient. I was visited regularly by a wonderful psychologist, the hospital chaplain, complimentary therapists who would appear at all the right times like angels when I was really struggling.”
"I can hand on heart say that without The Royal Marsden I would not be here talking with you today."
Living with cancer
Since her diagnosis, Natalie has gone on to train as a Cancer Exercise Specialist, setting up her own business called Fireflies Fitness. She also ran the London Marathon to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, as her way of saying thank you for the support she received.
“When I first came to The Royal Marsden, I said to my surgeon that I wanted to run the London Marathon for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity once they’d made me better. It was the least I could do after what the hospital did for me. I achieved this in April 2021 and I felt very proud when I got to the finish line. I raised over £7,000 altogether.”
“I’ve now completed my 8th marathon which took place in November 2025 – the iconic New York City Marathon. I trained and ran whilst on chemotherapy, after being told a year before that I may only have months left to live.”
“I absolutely love everyone at The Royal Marsden. They make you feel so well looked after. I owe them my life."
Enter the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Cotswolds
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