LoveRose Lingerie was born to create wireless post-surgery lingerie that will celebrate & empower women on their breast cancer journey every day. Although we believe that women should be celebrated every day, to mark International Women's Day, we spoke with inspiring women: breast surgeon Dr. Liz O’Riordan (@oriordanliz), health coach Mary Huckle (@maryhuckle) and founder of Secondary Sisters, Laura Middleton-Hughes (@baldbooblessandbeautiful) about what it means for them to be women, how it has changed while going through breast cancer and how we can empower women in the breast cancer community.
Would you mind sharing your cancer story/ diagnosis?
Dr Liz O’Riordan: I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 40, whilst working as a consultant breast surgeon. I had chemotherapy, a mastectomy, radiotherapy, and Tamoxifen. It made me infertile, and I wondered whether I would ever be able to get back to work. Two years later, I had a locoregional recurrence on my chest wall. That meant more surgery, more radiotherapy, and having my ovaries removed so I could start on an aromatase inhibitor. The side effects of treatment left me with chronic pain and a left arm with reduced power and movement, which forced me to retire from the job I loved at age 43.
Mary Huckle: I was diagnosed with stage 1, grade 3 breast cancer in August 2007. I had a radical mastectomy and axilla clearance, followed by 6 months of chemotherapy and 5 years on Tamoxifen. In July 2014, I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.
Laura Middleton-Hughes: I was diagnosed in 2014, at the age of 25, with primary ER+ and Her2+ breast cancer. I went through chemo, a mastectomy, radiotherapy, hormonal treatment, and a year of a drug called Herceptin. I began my reconstruction journey in 2015, opting to have my other breast removed and implants placed in both. In 2016 what I thought was a gym injury to my shoulder turned out to be my cancer back in my humerus head, my spine, and my pelvis. I am now at stage 4 and incurable. My shoulder had a full reconstruction, followed by more chemo and then a targeted therapy every 3 weeks in the hospital, which I was told may only work for 18 months. 6.5 years later, I am still on this drug and just making the most of life while I can.
What does being a woman mean to you?
Liz: Before breast cancer, I didn’t give it much thought. It was just who I was.
Mary: It means taking on various roles while still keeping our identity, and as the years pass, we grow stronger and wiser. We strive to make the world a better place.
Laura: I love being a woman. I love that I can be strong and resilient, yet also empathic and compassionate while being able to deal with whatever is thrown my way. My quote, which I wrote a few years ago, 'I draw strength from my troubles, smile when the world around me falls, and grow stronger with love."
Has this outlook changed after your diagnosis of breast cancer?
Liz: Cancer robbed me of everything that I took for granted as a woman—my long hair, my eyelashes, my breasts, my libido, my ovaries, my sex hormones, my fertility. It took me a long time to realise that it’s the way I feel inside that makes me feel like a woman, not my body. But it took a long time to accept the way I look and to learn how to feel strong, confident, or sexy when I only have one breast, an ugly scar on my chest, hot flushes, and grey hair. It may suit me, but it wasn’t my choice, and I’ve had to learn to accept that this is how my body is.
Mary: I’ll never know the exact answer to this, as I’ve lived with cancer for almost 16 years. One thing I’m sure of is that I know that I’ve always had the passion and compassion to fight for a better and safer world for future generations of women.
Laura: I don't worry about the little things anymore, and I make the most of every day as it is precious. I do things that make me happy and don't worry what others think of me.
What has helped support/empower you on this journey?
Liz: My family were incredible, but the real support came from Twitter. I told Twitter the day I was diagnosed . I was going to be recognised in the hospital where I was having chemo, and I didn’t want people talking about me behind my back. That day, 3 doctors DM’d me to share their own private cancer stories, and I now run a WhatsApp group for doctors with cancer where we can share our experiences of being on both sides of the table. Hundreds of women and men affected by breast cancer reached out and told me how to cope and what to do, and that spurred me on to help others by sharing my story and guiding them through treatment with talks, videos, podcasts, and books. It’s another way I can help people now that I can no longer work as a surgeon.
Mary: Knowledge is most definitely empowering and powerful. It gives me the confidence and courage to face every day. The support of other women also uplifts and holds me. I feel stronger for it.
Laura: My loved ones. They are there cheering me on from the sidelines, and I know they will pick me up when I next fall. They keep me strong. And the community of those also living with cancer. I have sadly lost so many friends I have come close to from this disease, but I keep going for them as it makes me realise how lucky I am to have been given this time I never thought I would have.
It’s truly inspiring how you’re getting involved in the community – what’s your message for us and the rest of society when it comes to empowering other women who are going through BC.
Liz: Firstly, everyone needs to know that their own story is unique. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else, but draw inspiration, hope, and help from the people out there with breast cancer—men and women. You don’t need to share every aspect of your life, and it’s OK to take a step back when you’re having a wobble. Remember that our partners and family need support as well. Women can’t succeed without men to support and empower us. And always be kind—to others and to yourself.
Mary: We need to change the breast cancer narrative. My message is to get involved. Don’t be indifferent or passive. Make your voice heard, both individually and collectively. Find your tribe and raise your vibe—literally!
Laura: Don't think about the future and the what ifs. Concentrate on today and how to make the best of life now. Find your community, those who really understand what it is like to live with cancer. This is why I set up secondary sisters—to find myself this support. And make memories. Set up a living list and follow your dreams.