“Being 31 and a single mum of two girls, I knew I had to fight - there was no other option. My girls needed me.”
Mum-of-two Becky Haigh had been ignoring a concerning lump in her breast for a few months back in October of last year. Candidly, she says it was only after encouragement from her own mother that she got it checked out – but could not have prepared for the news she was about to receive.
Devastatingly, Becky was told that she had breast cancer and began months of gruelling procedures including chemotherapy and surgery. Yet, as she waits to be told whether she is finally cancer-free, the 32-year-old is taking on a completely different challenge - entering the Greater Manchester Run while being treated for the life-threatening disease.
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Becky, from Wythenshawe, says she was determined to fight since her diagnosis in November. “I went to the doctors in October 2022 with concerns about the lump I had found on my breast,” said Becky.
“If I’m honest, I had ignored it for a few months, but after encouragement from my mum, I finally decided to get it checked out.
“After my doctor’s visit, I was officially diagnosed in November and the only words I remember hearing was ‘it’s super treatable’. Whilst my journey has been extremely challenging, those words gave me hope throughout the whole experience.”
Becky, an NHS complaints manager, started her first round of chemotherapy exactly a month after being diagnosed. She continued the intense treatment three times a week, before getting to ring the bell marking the end of her chemotherapy on March 16.
Following the chemotherapy, Becky had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed in April, and is now waiting on test results to see if she is cancer free.
“I opted for a lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node removal followed by radiotherapy,” she said. “I had surgery on April 14, 2023, and I am awaiting for pathology results and I am hopefully cancer free! If so, once healed I can start my radiotherapy.
“Talking to others who had gone through similar experiences was, at times, more helpful than the medical jargon from health professionals. I want to especially shout out to the Paxman Cooling Facebook group, a group who share their experiences of the scalp cooling treatment. These networks, and her Christie nurses, have been an invaluable resource for me throughout my journey.”
Despite only having just over a month to recover, her attention is turning to a completely different challenge – the Great Manchester Run.
Becky was a keen runner before her cancer diagnosis and took part in the race in 2021. But this year’s 10k attempt will only be her second run since battling cancer, taking it on alongside her older sister Samantha.
“I had to give myself a couple of weeks to heal and then you can’t forget the fatigue from finishing chemotherapy only nine weeks ago,” Becky explained.
“I did my first run since diagnosis last Sunday, which was a 5k Race for Life. It was tricky, however I’m sure Sunday will be absolutely fine even if I have to walk it.”
The sisters are running the race for Prevent Breast Cancer, a UK charity that funds research into the condition. The Great Manchester Run will be yet another stop on the family’s journey since Becky’s frightening diagnosis.
“Despite my recent surgery, I decided to sign up anyway and see how I felt closer to the time,” she said. "Now it’s coming up soon, I’m so excited to complete the race, especially with my sister by my side.
“My sister’s support throughout my cancer journey, including holding my hand at many appointments, has meant everything to me. Looking back on what I’ve been through means completing the 10k together is even more special.
“The rest of the family will be there supporting us and seeing us through to the finish line. Ultimately it's been a journey we have been on together and it’ll be emotional for us all when we cross that line.”
Not only is Becky proving an inspiration by getting back out there in the midst of cancer treatment, the siblings have smashed their fundraising goal, raising more than four times their original target. Becky said: “Our initial goal was to raise £200 but we have already raised over £900 – which we are absolutely over the moon with.”
Nikki Barraclough, executive director at Prevent Breast Cancer, said: “Becky’s amazing story is one of not only resilience and positivity, but also the power of social support. We wish her continued health and success on her recovery journey and are so grateful for her dedication to raising all-important funds for cancer research through her participation in the Manchester 10k and we wish her the best of luck!”
Becky is raring to go on Sunday, but wants to remind people how important it is to check themselves to catch symptoms.
“My biggest advice, for not just women but men too, is to check regularly and know your ‘normal’,” says Becky.
“It isn’t always presented as a lump but a change in skin on the breast needs to be checked out.”
For more information on the Great Manchester Run head here.
Read more of today's top stories here
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