“Without family and friends, this experience would have been very difficult”, says Anwen (pictured centre) about her Lobular Breast Cancer diagnosis.
“I’m doing well but didn’t realise how difficult everyday tasks could be without a breast as simple tasks can be uncomfortable. I’m still having the area drained from fluid that builds up as a result of the mastectomy. Not as often as at first now though. The Old Mill Cancer Foundation in Llandybie has been incredible support providing me with scar therapy too.”
Anwen May was diagnosed with Stage 3 invasive Lobular Breast Cancer in November 2022. Despite having no symptoms, a routine mammogram found a tumour in her left breast and biopsies unfortunately confirmed that she had a 10cm Lobular tumour.
Following a mastectomy in January 2023, Anewn’s now on Letrozole, a medication that lowers her oestrogen levels, as her breast cancer was stimulated by this hormone.
Anwen’s daughters, Abie, Meg and Sam, always knew how strong their mum is but say that “Her diagnosis really showed us how incredible she really is! Making us laugh more than cry during the entire experience says it all really. Us and dad are very lucky.”
Abbie says, “Mam is a typical woman from West Wales. Her attitude was always “I’ve got it, and I’m going to get on with it.”
Since Anwen’s diagnosis, the family has worked together raising money for cancer charities including £1,605 for Macmillan, and now for LBCUK through a darts tournament fundraiser and a Wear Pink to Work Day.
In May 2024, the sisters will be be walking the Welsh Three Peaks for LBCUK.
“I really want to find ways to raise awareness about Lobular Breast Cancer”, says Anwen. “We’ve found that in rural areas, in particular, the support and education about Lobular is lacking unfortunately.”