A mum-of-two who had no symptoms was told she had cancer following an "out of the blue" phone call.
Kami Lester, from Halewood, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of last year following a routine mammogram. Kami said she was shocked when doctors told her the news, having experienced no symptoms before her mammogram.
She now wants to warn others not to put off their appointments as it could save their life.
The 52-year-old primary school teacher said: "Speaking from my own experience, I can’t stress how important it is to attend your appointment – don’t put it off! I went along for my mammogram in November 2021.
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"Although I’m in my early fifties, it was actually my second one – I’d been part of a special project in my area, where women were called for their first mammogram before the age of 50."
"Totally out of the blue, I got a call back and returned to the Linda McCartney Centre at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, just before Christmas."
After carrying out various tests, doctors discovered two areas of concern in Kami's right breast. It was at this point that Kami was told she might have breast cancer.
She said: "I went back to the hospital in the New Year, when my diagnosis of oestrogen positive breast cancer was confirmed. It was a huge shock, but the staff at the hospital were just amazing.
"Everything happened very quickly – I then had a lot more tests, which determined my treatment plan going forward."
Kami was told by doctors that three tumours had been found in her right breast, meaning a lot of planning was required before surgery could take place. She underwent surgery to have the lumps removed on February 22 last year, as well as breast conservation surgery.
Kami said her family including husband Jon, 52, and children Meg, 23, and Joe, 19, were incredibly supportive during this time, with Meg, who is training to be a doctor, coming home for a week to look after her.
Kami added: "The whole family were so brilliant at keeping things going. Having said that, Joe was the person we were most concerned about. He was about to take his A levels and the grades he needed for his course at Oxford University were very high.
"My husband Jon and I knew straight away that we wanted to protect Joe as much as we could. We decided to be really positive about everything that was happening, to make sure Joe didn’t pick up on anything we might be worrying about.
"That wouldn’t have been my normal approach with the kids, but it was the right decision at the time. Being a medical student, my daughter Meg actually wanted to know all the ins and outs of my diagnosis.
"My surgeon was so accommodating and wrote all the letters about my treatment in more detail than he would normally have done, so that Meg could read them. He even said that she could call him if she needed to."
After surgery, Kami underwent radiotherapy at the Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital in Liverpool. She said: "Because I’m post-menopausal – I’d previously had a hysterectomy – I’ll be taking the drug Letrozole for five years as well.
"After all my treatment had finally finished and Joe had completed his A Levels, I did struggle a little and we all started to show our feelings a little more. The previous few months had been such a whirlwind and at times, we struggled to take it all in.
"With her medical background, Meg tried to reassure me that in a way I was “lucky” to have had breast cancer now, with all the advances in diagnosis and treatment. Even 20 years ago, your prognosis often wasn’t as good."
Kami returned to her job as a primary school teacher on a phased return after treatment, but admits she "really struggled" and has since decided to take a career break.
She said: "I realise I’m very lucky to have been able to do that. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, as I absolutely loved my job.
"I’m now concentrating on regaining my physical health and have taken up yoga and swimming. I’m hoping to start wild swimming at some point, which is very exciting."
Kami is taking part in the 'half moon' - 15.1 mile walking challenge - with her husband Jon at The MoonWalk in London on Saturday 20 May. The MoonWalk, now in its 25th year, sees people taking to the streets in colourful decorated bras to raise awareness and money for cancer research and prevention, as well as supporting those living with cancer.
Kami said: "I’m really looking forward to raising money which will help support other people and their families through breast cancer treatment. The other reason I’ve signed up is simply because I can – I still have my health and completing the walk is a great target to aim for.
"I’m the proof of how important it is to go for your routine mammogram. My message to all women is ‘don’t put it off – it could save your life’.”
To sign up for The MoonWalk London 2023 click here.
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