Doctor using her own experience of breast cancer to help others

DR RACHAEL Barlow takes on her work in cancer care with the same determination she took on her own cancer with steely determination.

- ROD MINCHIN & CATHY OWEN

The mother-of-two was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump in 2012.

The registered dietitian who also has a PhD, has led an array of research projects, innovative programmes and service improvements since working for NHS Wales for over 30 years. She was so determined to survive cancer, she was determined to fight every step of the way.

So much so, she embraced daily exercise during her chemotherapy, in the lead up to and post-surgery and also during her radiotherapy.

Despite the side-effects, fatigue and emotional toll of having cancer and two young children, all the training paid off and just a month after her treatment ended in August 2013, she trekked 19,340 ft up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Cardiff's Velindre Hospital.

Since this she has continued to trek some of the highest mountain ranges in the world whilst raising funds for the Cancer Centre.

"I found a lump and when I went to get it checked out, I was told it had already spread and my future was not certain," explains the 53-year-old from Whitchurch, Cardiff. "I was devastated. I had to start chemo for four months along with the drug herceptin, which I had for a year, then had surgery followed by radiotherapy and hormone treatment for 10 years, cancer treatment is just so gruelling. I also used alternative treatments, including reflexology and meditation as I found those really helped."

Rachael, who works at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, continued: "I was amazed when I was told by my surgeon and radiologist prior to surgery, that the cancer had gone.

"It was described as a one-in-a-million response. I just had an amazing response to it. Losing my long blonde hair was really upsetting though, but you just have to get on with it. It was all very difficult, but you have no choice but to get on with the gruelling treatment."