From Diagnosis to Discovery: How Your Support Is Changing Breast Cancer Care

Angela was only 51 years old when she walked into the Edinburgh Cancer Centre and heard the words no one wants to hear: “You have breast cancer.”

“My initial feelings were shock and anger; I just kept thinking ‘how dare it?’ said the mum-of-two. “My feelings then turned to grief for a life I felt had been whipped away from me. I didn’t realise how lucky I was to only have the usual stresses of everyday life before my diagnosis.”

Just one week later, Angela received more devastating news when further tests revealed her cancer had spread to two lymph nodes.

Angela shared:

“My surgeon told me that I was going to have a rocky ride, but I would get through it; I trusted him 100% so that was really reassuring.

“The doctors and nurses showed true compassion; they see patients all the time, but I never felt like just another person, and I knew I wasn’t facing this alone.

“I had a lumpectomy as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The hardest part of treatment for me was losing myself – I lost my hair, my peace, and any control over my own life. But, I also discovered a strength I never knew I had.”

After seven months of treatment, Angela finally received the all-clear.

I received the all-clear in 2023 and celebrated by renewing my marriage vows to my husband, Paul. It gave me something to focus on and look forward to, and for the first time in a long time, I felt beautiful.”

The work behind the scenes

Like many patients, Angela was focused on getting through each day. It was only after treatment ended that she discovered the wider network of expertise supporting her care.

At an NHS Lothian Charity event, Angela learned more about the work of the Charity’s Breast Cancer Institute, including donor-funded research happening behind the scenes to improve outcomes for people like her.

Patients don’t see what happens behind the scenes, because, at the time, they’re so wrapped up in the diagnosis – there’s no space left to think about anything else. It’s only when I came out the other side that I realised how many people were involved in getting me through. They are thinking about every single little cog in the wheel.

“Hearing about the research brought me to tears,” she said. “When you’re diagnosed, there’s no mental space to think about anything else. Coming out the other side, I realised how many people were involved in getting me through. They’re thinking about every single part of the journey.”

Having seen firsthand the impact donations have, Angela set up a monthly direct debit to NHS Lothian Charity:

I give a donation every month because I’m helping people now, and by supporting research, I’m also helping future patients who still have all of this to come.

“It’s thanks to everyone at the Breast Unit that I get to have future birthdays with my family.”

Turning donations into breakthroughs

Every day at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, life-changing conversations take place. The Breast Unit at the Centre is the largest and busiest in the UK, with around 840 people diagnosed with breast cancer each year. For nearly one in three patients, the cancer has already spread or returned.

Understanding why this happens, and how to stop it, is at the heart of ongoing research.

Behind the scenes is a dedicated team of consultants, surgeons, oncologists and researchers at NHS Lothian Charity’s Breast Cancer Institute, working together to make breakthroughs that will improve and save the lives of breast cancer patients, now and in the future. Donations to NHS Lothian Charity support this work, investing in pioneering research, supporting education, purchasing cutting-edge equipment, and enhancing the hospital environment.

Charlene Kay is part of this dedicated team and has dedicated 20 years to breast cancer research. She has also recently completed three research projects as part of her NHS Lothian Charity-funded PhD. Charlene explains:

My work is focused on breast cancer recurrence and why many patients start out responding to treatment and then for different reasons, the cancer comes back, or their tumour stops responding in the same way.

“I specifically looked at breast cancer that had spread to the regional lymph nodes, located mostly under the armpits, as this is where breast cancer typically spreads to first.

“People’s lives are most affected when their cancer develops to secondary breast cancer, which is when it spreads to distant sites such as the bone, liver or brain. A key focus of our work is to find out what’s making the cancer spread. Once we can do this, we can figure out how to stop it.”

For patients whose cancer has spread, the right treatment can make all the difference, which is why research is so important.

Help change the future for breast cancer patients

Life saving research is only possible because of donations. Angela’s story is just one example of how NHS Lothian Charity supporters help turn a life-changing diagnosis into hope, possibility and discovery, and why your support matters.

Your donation can help fund groundbreaking research, improve patient experiences and support the dedicated teams caring for people at their most vulnerable.

Together, we can create a future where fewer families face the fear of cancer spreading, and more people, like Angela, get to look forward to the years ahead.