I was diagnosed with cancer at 39 after a fluke washing basket accident says Leeds mum

Emma Hall, now 42 and from Gomersal, was busy with her household chores when she bumped into the door frame while carrying a basket of washing. Left with tenderness and a lump, that she put down to the accident, she thought nothing of it. But a few days later the tenderness had gone, but the lump was still there.

Emma, a mum of two, said: “Days later the lump hadn’t gone. I started to find other reasons for it and didn’t think I should be concerned as I was only 39. But in the end I couldn’t shake the feeling there might be something wrong and booked to see my GP.”

Emma didn’t have any family history, but the GP was concerned enough by the lump and changes to the nipple on her other breast that she referred her to the breast clinic. Emma said: “The appointment sadly fell on Valentine’s Day so, I spent the day being prodded and poked. The consultant took me seriously straight away and as the appointment went on, the reality of what the diagnosis could be hit me.

“I had an ultrasound, mammogram, multiple biopsies and another ultrasound. By the end of the appointment the consultant was quite sure it could be breast cancer, but they would have to wait for the results to confirm anything. My husband, Rich, and I have been together since we were 17-years-old. We met at school and he proposed to me on Valentine’s Day, so it's always been a special day for us. But now our lives were being turned upside down and we didn’t know what was going to be round the corner.”

After an agonising two week wait, in February 2023, Emma received the news she had been dreading that she was diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer, a cancer that starts in the lobules, the glands that make milk when breastfeeding.

Doctors hoped the cancer could be removed with surgery and radiotherapy, and that Emma would be able to get on with life. Sadly though, the 9-hour surgery in April, which included a single mastectomy and immediate reconstruction using tissue from her thigh, known as TUG flap reconstruction, revealed the cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes, so she would require further surgery and more treatment.

Emma, who documented her experience on her Instagram page, said: “All margins showed positive traces of cancer, so I had all my lymph nodes removed in a second surgery and the reconstruction had to be removed. It felt like such a step backwards and that the cancer I had initially thought would be easy to tackle suddenly got a lot scarier.”

Emma’s treatment, which she had at the Bexley Wing at St James’ Hospital in Leeds, included chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy, and then targeted drug therapy. While having treatment Emma celebrated her 40th birthday and her daughter’s GCSE results. She said: “It was supposed to be a big celebration year and we had planned a dream holiday to Disney World, but it all had to be cancelled and instead we were juggling hospital appointments and I’d never had so many injections or taken my top off in front or more strangers.”

As part of a group of 60 friends and family and while still having treatment, Emma took part in Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walk in Leeds. Emma, who has now renamed Valentine’s Day with her husband as Live Life Day, said: “Having something to focus on other than chemotherapy was just what I needed. Sadly, Rich had a broken foot at the time, so we were pushing him round in a wheelchair and it poured with rain, but it was still the best night.

“We made a decision after my diagnosis to really make the most of life and rain or broken bones aren’t going to get in our way. Seeing so many people we love come out in support of what me and my family were going through was so special. And I’d urge anybody to take part in this year’s event.”

The city will light up again on Saturday October 4 when the 10k walk returns to Leeds. Emma, who continues to receive hormone therapy treatment, is urging people of all abilities to follow in her footsteps, by grabbing their glowsticks and helping to beat cancer one stride at a time.

She said: “The doctors can’t guarantee that my cancer has all gone, but the treatment I continue to have will work to prevent any growth. Thanks to the work of Cancer Research UK I had treatment options available to me after my diagnosis.

“Taking part in an event like Shine is a great way to support research that will help drive more life-saving discoveries and breakthroughs. That’s why I’m asking people to sign up and help shine a light for everyone affected by this devastating disease in Leeds and beyond.”

Starting in Millennium Square at 7pm, people will work their way through the heart of Leeds in a neon-glowing parade of light that takes in some of the city’s most loved landmarks from the Corn Exchange, to the Royal Armouries and the Grand Arcade.

It’s thanks to the fundraising efforts of supporters like this that Cancer Research UK was able to spend over £3 million in Leeds last year. Shine Night Walk participants can choose to support work into the cancer type closest to their hearts, such as prostate, bowel, lung or breast cancer – among other types of the disease - or simply give to where the need is greatest.

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information. The charity’s Lisa Millett, said: “Our scientists have helped to double cancer survival in the UK in the last 50 years. We’ve led the development of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, paved the way for targeted treatments and improved the way we use surgery to tackle cancer. But, with nearly 1 in 2 people set to be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime,** we can’t stop there. So, we’re grateful to Emma for helping to raise vital awareness.

“Our vision is a world where everybody lives longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer and money raised through events like Shine Night Walk is critical to making this a reality. Whether people walk for loved ones, for future generations or with friends old and new, they’ll be helping to power more progress – October 4 is Leeds’ moment to shine.”

People can also show their support by volunteering on the night. From helping to set up the course to guiding participants around the city, there are lots of opportunities to get involved, meet new people and learn new skills. To enter or volunteer visit shinewalk.org

Shine Night Walk

• Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walk is a series of evening walking fundraising events across the UK.
• 10k Shine Night Walks will take place in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Gateshead, Norwich, Nottingham, Southampton and York.
• 10k is just over six miles, or roughly the same as walking around a football pitch nearly 29 times.
• Shine Night Walk London offers a full and half marathon course, as well as a 10k course.
• Participants can choose to support scientific research, including better treatments, bladder cancer, bowel cancer, brain tumours, breast cancer, cancer prevention, children’s cancers, diagnosing cancer early, leukaemia, lung cancer, lymphoma, oesophageal cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, rare cancers, skin cancer and understanding cancer.
• Shine Night Walk 10k events are open to everyone aged 11 and over. Participants aged 11-17 must be accompanied by an adult. The Shine Night Walk London full and half marathon events are open to everyone aged 13 and over. Participants aged 13--17 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Entry to Shine Night Walk 10k events outside of London is £17.49
• Entry to Shine Night Walk London full and half marathon is £39.99
• Entry to Shine Night Walk London 10k is £19.99
• The Shine Night Walk entry fee only covers the cost of event delivery. Money raised by participants goes towards life-saving research.

For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.