A veterinary nurse’s life has been saved by a pet dog.
Angie Shaw was working at Beechwood Veterinary Group’s Garforth Surgery when she was headbutted in the chest by a pet Labrador when she tried to turn him over on the consult table, where, unbeknown to her at the time an aggressive tumour was lurking.
When the lump caused by the accidental bump was still sore a week later Angie booked a GP appointment. She was referred for scans and biopsies which revealed she had a fast-growing form of breast cancer.
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Just 13 days later, Angie had an operation at St James’s Hospital to remove the tumour which had grown by two millimetres from the date of her shock diagnosis.
Angie claims that without the Labradors accidental headbutt, the tumour would have taken another ten months to distort Angie’s breast tissue and be detected due to its position. Her next mammogram also wasn’t due for about nine months - which would have meant the cancer would be too advanced to be able to save her life.
The veterinary nurse has since had six rounds of chemotherapy, spanning 18 weeks, and then 15 doses of radiotherapy which finished in December 2022. Angie is now celebrating being given the all-clear.
Angie said: “When we turned him over, he headbutted me by my left breast, towards my breastbone. A decent-sized lump appeared. I left it for a week, but it was sore, so I got a doctor’s appointment the next day. I thought it was a cyst.
“When I was told that I would have to have surgery, chemotherapy and then radiotherapy my whole world fell apart.
“The lump was purely coincidental and nothing to do with the cancer but if the pet hadn’t headbutted me, the cancer wouldn’t have shown up for nine to ten months by which point it would have spread. It would have been too late. That pet saved my life.
“During the treatment, I had my bloods taken on my day off and chemotherapy on the Friday to have the weekend to get over it. I have horses and thought that if I felt well enough to ride, I can come to work.”
Angie will now have a mammogram annually for the next ten years. She has also continued working between her treatments at Beechwood Vets. She claims she was open about her illness with colleagues, who rallied round, in the hope of encouraging other women to check their breasts regularly.
She added: “My colleagues were really supportive. That helped massively. I said ‘I don’t want sympathy or special treatment. I am living with cancer, not dying from it. I will lose my hair so I will be wearing a wig. Tell me if it’s wonky or if the label is showing – but for Goodness’ sake, get any lumps checked’.
“I hate to be the centre of attention, but you swallow your pride. I thought if I could save one person’s life by encouraging them to get lumps checked, that’s my job done.
“Breast cancer is almost a taboo subject, but it is nothing to be ashamed of. There’s nothing I have done to cause it. There’s nothing I could have done to prevent it. I am lucky – because we found it in time.
“I lost some of my hair during the chemotherapy. It is a small price to pay.
“They are quite happy they have got all the cancer. It shows that early diagnosis is so important.”
Angie, who is married with two grown-up children and three grandchildren, said: “I had to keep positive. Everyone thinks a cancer diagnosis is the death warrant. I thought ‘I have too much to do to let it get in the way of my life’.
“An experience like that gives you a whole different perspective. You realise how special life is and how quickly it can turn around. I have been given a second chance.
“You learn to make the most of who and what is important to you.”
Angie, whose son did a parachute jump in aid of St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds, added: “It could’ve been me going into the hospice if they hadn’t found it.”
Clinical director Louise Mallinson paid tribute to Angie for her courage throughout. She said: “The way Angie has tackled her cancer diagnosis and treatment has been absolutely inspirational. She has been incredibly brave, positive and determined in her outlook and by sharing her journey with the team, she has not only helped to raise awareness of the importance of getting lumps checked but has broken down barriers and helped the team to talk openly and honestly about cancer.
“Angie is fantastic with both our patients and clients, and we’re very lucky to have her as part of the team. We are all incredibly proud of her and couldn’t be happier that she has been given the all-clear.”
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