The Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson has spoken out about her breast cancer fight.
Mayor Anderson was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year after a routine screening. She underwent surgery and has since undergone a course of radiotherapy.
Writing in a blog, the city leader said: "Returning home from work one evening in May, I opened a hospital letter, it was recalling me after my mammogram. I hadn’t thought much about the routine screening – after all, I didn’t have any symptoms.
"A biopsy followed before those terrifying words that no one wants to hear were uttered. Suddenly, life was vastly different to the day before. I had cancer. When your mortality stares you in the face, it’s true that you suddenly have a different view and perspective on life. You don’t take things for granted or worry about the little things that once seemed so huge.
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"But amid all the emotions that came up during that time, the overwhelming one was gratitude. I was told that the cancer I had was Stage 1 and treatable – basically, it was the best case scenario. Soon after, I was having an operation to remove the tumour which would be followed by a course of radiotherapy."
During the operation, the tumour was found to be larger than previously thought, with additional pre-cancerous cells surrounding it. The cancer was re-classified as Stage 2, but thankfully it was still treatable. Mayor Anderson added: "Had I not been for that mammogram, the story I’m writing today could have been vastly different."
She has gone public with her experience to encourage other women to come forward for mammograms and emphasise the need for early detection. She added: "Yes, mammograms aren’t comfortable – but a few minutes of discomfort are certainly worth your life. We are so lucky in this country that the NHS offer us this chance to spot and stop these bad cells in their tracks.
"Recent figures show that in Liverpool, only 57.5% of women took up their invitation in 2021/22, versus the rate for the rest of the county of 64.1%. Of the 2.12 million people who did get screened in the UK, over 17,000 had cancers detected – a stark message to make sure you make that appointment.
"Numerous studies have also found a link between a lower uptake of breast screening in areas of social deprivation and in ethnic minority communities, particularly South Asian women. Women with a learning disability are also far less likely to attend breast screening, even though it may save their life."
Mayor Anderson said that until now she had been 'very naïve' about breast cancer and had only just started to check her breasts. She added: "Being mayor is a tough job and the timing of this diagnosis couldn’t have come at a worse time. It came amid one of the most difficult periods Liverpool City Council has ever been through, and after the departure of our former Chief Executive, I was acutely aware of the need for stability."
She was signed off work for three months, adding: "But my job is not one you can take time off from. I took the recommended two weeks off after the operation but needed to get back to work to deal with important issues in the city.
"After attending a full council meeting, a wake-up call arrived when I was struck down with a virus. Clearly my body was telling me I was trying to do too much and that it was owed more respect. I knew I needed to incorporate more balance into my life if I was going to have the best chance of recovery.
"This meant taking some real time to rest during my two-week course of radiotherapy. It also meant stopping working 60-hour weeks, late nights and external visits, to prioritise the crucial work that was going on internally at the council.
"I will be forever grateful to the NHS staff who treated me during this time. The speed with which I was diagnosed and treated was incredible and their compassion, skill and knowledge reassured me throughout that I was in good hands and that everything was going to plan.
"The experience also made me realise the kindness of strangers, particularly women who I had never met. They reached out offering support after going through the same thing – this was both powerful and humbling. Hearing about other people’s experiences and stories gave me comfort during such a difficult time."
Speaking about her future, Mayor Anderson added: "I will be Mayor until May and I’m determined to get the job done that I set out to do. So it will be full steam ahead and I am committed to making sure I leave the council in a much better position.
"But I have a new found respect and gratitude for my body and will be making lifestyle changes as well as considering preventative treatment. I will have to live with the fact that it may return, but this cancer was never a life sentence, and I will be living my life more fully and with more appreciation than ever before."
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