Two women with incurable breast cancer have become life-long friends after bonding over more than 600 rounds of chemotherapy between them. Margie Shields was always wary about her health after watching both her mum and her sister go through breast cancer and instantly "sensed there was something wrong" when developed a pain "like a nagging toothache" in her breast.
After undergoing tests at Royal Liverpool Hospital, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and given a life expectancy of one to two years. But after 20 years, more than 300 rounds of chemotherapy, and a double mastectomy, Margie is still fighting.
Her breast cancer, which has spread to the bones in her chest and shoulder, is incurable and requires lifelong treatment, but she says constant medical developments have kept her alive. On her first day of chemotherapy at the Linda McCartney Centre at the Royal, Margie met fellow breast cancer patient Ann Hannah, and the pair quickly became close friends, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Both woman are the 30% of people diagnosed with the disease who later develop secondary cancers, which cuts down the five-year survival rate from 98% to 25%.
Margie was initially 'petrified' to undergo chemotherapy, but was quickly welcomed by the supportive community at the centre. She said: "It was always full of chatter because we sat close together and we could mingle. You'd be singing and laughing, and somebody would come in and tell us funny things that had happened to them over the weekend."
Margie, now 72, and Ann, now 88, have been nicknamed the 'Terrible Twins' by their oncologist "because they are always winding each other up". The pair make sure they schedule their fortnightly chemo at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool for the same day so they can spend time together and support each other through their treatment. Ann, who prefers 'Chemo Queens' over 'Terrible Twins', said: "I've just had my 310th chemotherapy treatment and the nurses here are amazing.
"I have a laugh and a joke with them every time I come. Laughter brightens everyone's day and it's wonderful to be able to have my treatment with Margie."
Speaking of her friend, Margie said: "She's an amazing lady, absolutely. And for 88, she's grand. She is what I would call an inspiration. I actually class her as family."
Over the last two decades, Margie has picked up tips on how to stay positive from others going through treatment and those who have got to 'ring the bell' after getting the all clear. Sadly Margie and Ann were separated for a time while Margie underwent treatment for an unrelated stomach cancer in 2019.
For two years, she had to face "very, very strong" rounds of chemotherapy that left her feeling "really ill" before having surgery on her stomach, all without her fellow "Chemo Queen" by her side. Margie said she "didn't like it at all", but always the optimist, added that she did get a "nice figure" she got from losing "lots of weight" due to treatment after having "always been a chunky monkey".
Margie said: "The surgeons have done a fantastic job, I have to say. It was gruelling because I had reconstruction for my stomach, and I had it all done at once. At the time, obviously it's hard going, but then as you're feeling a bit better, you meet the ladies, I always remember meeting a lady when I was started in chemotherapy, and she was such an inspiration.".”
Dr Farida Alam, consultant in clinical oncology at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, said: "Margie and Ann are inspirational. They really are a great example of how cancer can be managed, if not cured, and the fact they have both been having treatment for 17 years and still arrive with smiles and such positive energy is wonderful to see.
"There is a variety of treatments for metastatic breast cancer and while there is no cure, treatment may control it for years at a time, enabling people to live relatively well for longer. Patients work closely with their doctors and nurses to manage any symptoms or side effects as well as possible."
Margie and Ann shared their story in the hope of teaching other the the signs of breast cancer so it can be caught early when it's easiest to treat. The earliest sign of the disease is usually a lump or area of thickened tissue on the breast, according to the NHS, however symptoms can also include a change in the shape or size of the breasts, discharge from the nipples, or a rash around the nipples..
Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer, like extreme fatigue, constantly feeling sick, or unexplained weight loss, can be similar to other conditions, according to Clatterbridge, which advises you always talk to your GP "about any potentially worrying new signs or symptoms".
Margie said: "At the first signs of anything, I would always say to anybody, go and get checked. You're not wasting anybody's time by doing that because they would rather you find it earlier than later. I've had it said to myself by a few friends over the years, 'I've been called to have a mammogram, but it hurts'. My answer to that is, if you don't go, it'll hurt you a lot more."
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