A Welsh woman who climbed Wales’s 100 highest peaks after her breast cancer diagnosis has published a book about her adventures to raise money for the research and support charity, Breast Cancer Now.

Avid walker Sheila Owen, 70, from Holyhead, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 following a routine mammogram. After her treatment finished, Sheila rebuilt her fitness through walks in the local area with her husband, John.

“Walking was an integral part of my recovery from breast cancer,” says Sheila. “I’ve always exercised, but finishing my treatment just before the lockdown meant I was quite limited. I couldn’t go to the gym, so my husband John and I walked locally. Every afternoon we were out.

“As we came out of lockdown, I said to John, ‘I need a challenge’, so we decided to climb the highest peaks in Wales. Anything over 2188ft.

“It took us 12 months. We went all over Wales to places we’d never seen before. Sometimes the weather was good. Sometimes it was atrocious. We completed the final peak which was Snowdon in October 2020 – during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

Now Sheila has self-published a book about her adventures, the proceeds of which will support Breast Cancer Now’s world-class research and life-changing support.

“I understand that some people’s cancer is not as straight forward as mine was,” says Sheila. “Not everyone can climb the highest peaks in Wales, but it’s all about doing something small to help yourself. Even if it’s just walking down to the bottom of the garden.

“Staying active makes you strong, and it keeps you in a positive mindset which is so important when you’re overcoming a diagnosis like breast cancer.”

This April, Sheila will be taking on an entirely different challenge by walking in The Show by Breast Cancer Now. This is a fashion show like no other as all 24 models are living with or beyond breast cancer. Styled by top celebrity stylist Rebekah Roy, it’s an opportunity for the models to use fashion to celebrate who they have become and reflect on their experience of breast cancer, as well as raising awareness of the support available for anyone facing the disease.

“After all that walking, the catwalk should be a breeze. But I doubt I’ll be wearing my mountain boots!” says Sheila. “I’m really looking forward to The Show. I feel so privileged to have been chosen to do it.

“I want to use my involvement to highlight the importance of routine mammograms,” says Sheila. “I was diagnosed through a routine mammogram. I had no symptoms before then. My lump was behind the nipple. I would never have located it myself with all the will in the world. It just shows how important these mammograms are. To anyone who is not sure, just go. Don’t even think about it. These mammograms could save your life. It doesn’t hurt. Sometimes it can be a little uncomfortable but it’s over in a few seconds, and it’s worth so much.”

Breast Cancer Now’s clinical nurse specialist, Addie Mitchell, said: “We encourage all women who are eligible to attend their breast screening appointments when invited. The sooner breast cancer is found, the more likely it is to respond well to treatment, and the less likely you are to need more extensive surgery. Screening prevents an estimated 1,300 deaths from breast cancer each year in the UK.

“Women aged 50 to their 71st birthday are invited for a mammogram every 3 years as part of the UK’s national breast screening programme. This may not happen the year you turn 50, but it will happen by the time you’re 53. You have to be registered with a GP to be automatically invited for screening.

“If you’re 71 or over you will not be automatically sent an invitation for screening. However, you can continue to have breast screening every three years if you contact your local breast screening unit and ask for it – unless you are in Scotland.

For information or support, call Breast Cancer Now’s free, confidential Helpline on 0808 800 6000.

The Show by Breast Cancer Now will be happening on Thursday 25 April 2024 in London.