Women's Training

For 38-year-old aspiring Ironman Rebecca, a cancer diagnosis came as a huge shock. Here she charts her treatment and return-to-training journey…

- By Rebecca Neil. Photographs by Getty Images

CHECK YOUR BREASTS

Women of all ages are advised to check their breasts regularly to get to know what feels normal for them. Coppafeel.org is a great website, packed with advice, resources and ideas of how you can get involved in raising awareness and fundraising.

The 4th of March 2021 is a date I’ll never forget. I had a hospital appointment to discuss the results of tests on a lump in my left breast. My doctor asked me what I was expecting. I told him I thought it was probably a harmless cyst, to which he responded, simply, ‘No, it’s cancer.’ As he explained that I would need substantial surgery and radiation, and probably chemotherapy, I sat there speechless. One of the first things I managed to say was: ‘I won’t be doing the Ironman this year, then?’

On paper, I’m about as low risk as you can get when it comes to cancer. I’m 38, a normal weight and a lifelong non-smoker. I’ve always eaten a healthy, balanced diet and have no history of cancer in my family. But one thing I had to learn to accept is that cancer doesn’t discriminate. There are certain risk factors, but it can happen to anyone, even fit and healthy triathletes.

LITTLE GUIDANCE

Despite being bombarded with information in those first few weeks following diagnosis, there appeared to be very little guidance readily available for athletes who wanted to keep training during and after treatment. Don’t get me wrong, cancer is hard on the body and mind, and there’s absolutely no shame in wanting to take it easy. But that just wasn’t me.