Claire was just 28 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2009. After being referred to The Royal Marsden, she underwent chemotherapy followed by a hysterectomy and radiotherapy. Five years after her treatment, Claire was given the all-clear.
This is Claire’s story, in her words.
“In 2009, I flew to New York. When I got there, something didn’t feel right. I had started bleeding which wasn't normal, as it was outside of a period.
“When I got back to the UK, I went to my GP who sent me for a check-up at my local hospital. They found fibroids so I had surgery to have them removed, and they took a biopsy at the same time.
“I got called back in a week later, and that’s when they said they had found cancer cells. It was small cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cervical cancer. I came out in floods of tears, went back to my flatmate and was in shock really.
"I really do feel very lucky and I couldn’t be more grateful to The Royal Marsden"
Treatment and finding strength
“I was referred to The Royal Marsden in July 2009 and had six rounds of chemotherapy.
“It wasn’t until I had my last chemotherapy that it really hit me. I was really quite tired and sleeping a lot. My hair started to fall out and a colleague helped me shave it off.
“Then in December, I had a radical hysterectomy. They knocked me out for eight hours, which was quite nerve wracking, but there was no other option really at the time. It was keyhole, so it wasn’t too invasive, and I did heal from it quite quickly. I've only got four little scars.
“This was followed by six weeks of radiotherapy. It was a difficult and emotional time. I’d thought that, after the chemo, I wasn’t going to need radiotherapy as well, but my medical team wanted to make sure all of the cancer had gone.
"Being treated for cancer is not something you forget, and the kindness shown by the whole team has stayed with me. Lead Nurse Andreia Fernandes [pictured with Claire above] was the first person I was linked with after all the treatment. She was very knowledgeable about all aspects of the treatment, recovery and healing afterwards – and always so understanding and supportive, and I was really grateful to her for that. She was and is amazing!
Life after treatment
“I had thought of having children one day, so it was quite hard to accept that I wouldn’t have the option of becoming pregnant. When I met my husband, Stuart, we started talking about having a family and in 2017, we went through the adoption process and adopted our daughter. She was eight months when she came to us and is now eight years old.
“We generally got through everything with humour. Stuart is very rational and sees things logically and has supported me throughout.
“After I completed my treatment, I had check-ups every six months for five years. I can vividly remember Stuart and I went out to celebrate when I received my five years all-clear. I really do feel very lucky and I couldn’t be more grateful to The Royal Marsden.
Taking part in the London Marathon...
“This year I ran the London Marathon for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. It was absolutely amazing! It was loud, supportive and really fun. Meeting up with fellow Charity team runners before we set off was great and calmed my nerves. The Royal Marsden cheer points were also fabulous – a real boost when things started getting tough!
“Family and friends were along the route and I was so glad I spotted everyone. They had extra snacks and drinks and really kept me going. And of course they were all at the finish line which I was so grateful for as it was really emotional.
...and The Banham Marsden March
“I love The Banham Marsden March and this year I took part for the 11th time! Over the years, we've had snow, rain and sunshine. It doesn’t really matter because the atmosphere is so great. Everybody's so friendly and helpful.
“I'm so grateful that I was referred to The Royal Marsden. If any of my loved ones ever need treatment for cancer in the future, I'd want them to go to The Royal Marsden. I wouldn't want them to go anywhere else."
Help us continue to support life-saving cancer treatments
Thanks to supporters like you, we have been able to fund life-saving treatments for patients like Claire.
Find out more about the ways you can support us today, so we can continue to support The Royal Marsden – and give hope to people affected by cancer, now and in the future.