Georgia Chapman, 27 years old from Rumney Cardiff, was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer in 2021.
Whilst getting ready for her 26th birthday party, Georgia discovered a lump in her breast, and started treatment for breast cancer which would lead to chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and fertility treatment. Georgia is now waiting for breast reconstruction surgery.
Through Georgia’s treatment, her mother Debbie discovered she carries a hereditary altered BRCA gene, meaning her likelihood of developing breast cancer is also increased, and has since decided to also undergo a double mastectomy too.
This Mother’s Day, Asda, Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel! are encouraging shoppers to make checking their boobs, pecs and chests as normal as their weekly shop and encouraging everyone to be breast aware.
Georgia will be one of the faces of the Tickled Pink Mother’s Day campaign in store, to be seen by millions of Asda shoppers, sharing her story to raise awareness of breast cancer and the importance of breast checking.
Teaching Assistant Georgia said: “I was in the shower when I felt a lump in my left breast. It was my birthday, and we were still in the midst of COVID-19, so I was about to get on a zoom call with all of my friends to celebrate. After the weekend I decided to call my doctor, I couldn’t see the lump but I could feel it- it was like a big golf ball.
“I was referred to the breast clinic and given some antibiotics too. Because of my age they thought it was just a cyst. At the breast clinic they drained the ‘cyst’ and told me to come back in two weeks for a check-up. At that point it had been about 6cm. After that my breast doubled in size, I had shooting pains and was in tears. The clinic saw me earlier than planned, they drained the fluid again, but this time they took a biopsy too.
“Two weeks after my second appointment at the breast clinic, I went to University Hospital Llandough for my results. I went alone because of COVID-19 and hospital rules, but they asked if someone would come with me, so I called my mum. Before she arrived, they told me what I feared- I had breast cancer.
“It was strange because I just sort of went numb, it felt like the floor fell out from under my feet. When my mum arrived, I broke down.”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. Around 2,800 women and 20 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Wales every year. That’s around 54 people every week.
Georgia was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. Around 15% of breast cancers are classed as triple negative and this form of breast cancer can be more aggressive than other forms of the disease. There are currently limited targeted treatments available for triple negative breast cancer and treatment is mostly limited to a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, which can come with gruelling side effects.
Georgia continued: “I never knew that breast cancer treatment can affect your fertility. Being in my early 20s, I hadn’t had to think about having children, but suddenly I had to make a decision. If I wanted to have children in the future, I needed to start fertility treatment before I could start breast cancer treatment.
“I think it’s really important to raise awareness of this side of breast cancer. I was lucky enough to be given the option to go to a fertility clinic in Neath. I had 12 days of injections and I was fortunate to have 24 eggs frozen. If I do become infertile from my breast cancer treatment, I know my eggs are there waiting for me- not every woman with breast cancer has this option. Two days after my visit to the fertility clinic I started chemo.
“I was offered genetic testing and found out I carry an altered BRCA 1 gene. Since then, we have also discovered my mum has the hereditary gene too. I have been told that I may need to have my ovaries removed at 40 to minimise the risk of having ovarian cancer. My mum has made the decision to have preventative surgery to remove her breasts and ovaries. It’s a strange thing to bond over, but going through this together has given me and my mum a newfound respect for one another.
Men and women with a change in one of their BRCA genes are at greater risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, and around 5% of the 55,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in UK each year are caused by an inherited altered gene, which includes BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Georgia continued: “I can’t wait to celebrate this Mother’s Day with my mum, we’re planning to go out for a meal with my brother. If I choose to have children in the future, I’m glad I have the option to use the eggs I have frozen. It’s a huge relief to know I have that option, and that scientists can see which of the eggs could carry the altered BRCA 1 gene too.
“Whatever your plans are this Mother’s Day, I urge everyone to take part in the ‘mother of all checks’. If I hadn’t checked myself and if I was not seen as quickly as I was, I may not have been here to tell my story. We need to break the stigma of age in cancer, as so many younger women are told they are ‘too young to get breast cancer’. Most breast changes won’t be cancer but if you feel something isn’t right, do go back to your GP as you know your body best.”
The Asda Tickled Pink campaign is the longest running UK corporate charity partnership and, over the past 26 years, has raised over £82 million, delivering incredible impact for people affected by breast cancer, as well as raising importing breast checking awareness.
Working with their charity partners, Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel!, Asda are on a mission to make checking your boobs, pecs and chests, whoever you are, as normal as your Asda shop. This Mother’s Day we’re encouraging Asda shoppers to join the ‘Mother of all Checks’ so they can get to know their normal.
This Mother’s Day you can help raise much needed funds for both charities by purchasing products with a minimum of 10% of the price being donated, including Tickled Pink Flower Bouquet for just £6 and Asda Extra Special Rhubarb & Ginger Non Alcoholic Botanical Drink for just £10.
For further information please visit: www.asda.com/tickled-pink
