'I'm proof that you can live an active life with cancer'

A teaching assistant with stage 4 breast cancer initially given “up to two years to live” has defied doctors’ expectations and is preparing to tackle Sir Chris Hoy’s 56-mile cycle challenge.

- Beth Kirkbride

Sam Andrews, 53, from Corsham, was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer which means the disease has spread to other parts of the body - in August 2016 after suffering from persistent back pain.

At the time of her diagnosis, the mother of three said a CT scan revealed the cancer had spread to her bones and the lining of her lungs, as well as her skull.

Despite being told that she might only live for “a couple of months to two years”, Sam has defied doctors’ expectations following chemotherapy and hormone therapy, and continues to live life in “four-month blocks” between scans.

Her husband John - who did not let a broken leg stop him from going down on his knees to propose to Sam back in 1994 - is a keen cyclist and will be supporting his wife as they tackle Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 Red Ride around Glasgow, consisting of 56 miles and 3,772 feet of elevation this September.

The couple want to inspire people living with cancer and help fundraise for better treatments to improve others' quality of life.

“There'll be good days, there'll be bad days,” Sam said.

“I want people with cancer to just do as much as they possibly can, spend time with loved ones while they still can - and never give up hope.”

John added: “Everyone thinks when they hear stage 4, that’s it - that you might as well just head to the cemetery, but you can live an active life with cancer.”

Sam was working as a teaching assistant and leading a healthy and active lifestyle, including training for a marathon, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, aged 44, in August 2016.

“I'd been having backache for quite a while and I'd been to the doctors a few times and got different strength painkillers,” Sam said.