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Sevenoaks cancer survivor backs new Cancer Research campaign

A Sevenoaks cancer survivor is backing a new awareness campaign.

Beverley Wilson, from Wrotham, believes a routine breast screening may have saved her life after it detected a hidden lump.

Now, as the 60-year-old is celebrating the birth of her first grandchild, she is endorsing a campaign for people to leave a donation to Cancer Research UK in their will.

Beverley Wilson
Beverley Wilson

Gifts in wills fund over a third of Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. Last year, around 230 people in Kent helped to write an end to cancer by leaving legacy gifts to the charity.

Mrs Wilson, who has been married to husband John for 37 years, said: “Being diagnosed with breast cancer turned my life upside down. It was a terrible shock, but thanks to research I’m still here.”

The mother-of-two was diagnosed following a routine mammogram at a mobile screening unit in Borough Green in 2008.

“It was vital that I was screened because the mammogram detected I had a lump in my breast which I wouldn’t have known about. I certainly couldn’t see or feel any lump myself and I am very grateful it was detected,” she said.

Mrs Wilson, who works with her husband in the family stockholding business, was immediately referred to Maidstone Hospital where she had another scan followed by a biopsy.

Tests revealed she had invasive breast cancer. She had an operation to remove the lump but a further biopsy revealed the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.

“They discovered the cancer had travelled, so I went back to hospital for a full axilla clearance to remove about 24 lymph nodes,” Mrs Wilson added.

Her surgery was followed by a course of chemotherapy treatment and then radiotherapy. She was also given tamoxifen which is considered to be one of the most important drugs in the history of breast cancer treatment.

“Being diagnosed with breast cancer turned my life upside down" - Beverley Wilson

Beverley, who remained on tamoxifen for several years, added: “Thankfully I have been very good and normal life is resuming. I am just very, very grateful for the screening because, otherwise, I wouldn’t be around today, but I’m also thankful for the research into cancer treatments.”

"By leaving a gift in their will – no matter how big or small the donation – people in Sevenoaks can give families the incredible gift of hope. Cancer Research UK’s groundbreaking work relies on everyone who donates much needed funds. That’s why I’m supporting this vitally important campaign."

Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the South East, said: “Survival rates have doubled in the past 40 years and today half of those diagnosed with cancer will survive. But half is not enough. There are over 200 types of cancer and we won’t stop until we find cures for them all.

“The more research we are able to do the sooner that day will come and that’s why we urgently need support. So we’re calling on people across the South East to consider including a legacy gift for Cancer Research UK in their Will and help us write an end to cancer.”

For more information about leaving a gift to Cancer Research UK in your Will, visit cruk.org/WriteAnEnd or call 0800 077 66 44.ck

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