Her mum died of breast cancer aged just 39, when she was 10 years old, so learning she had developed the same disease was terrifying for mum-of-four Sarah Beeny.
In August last year, Sarah found a lump and was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 50. Hearing the news was heartbreaking, but when doctors said her condition was treatable, she focused hard on recovering and staying strong for her children and husband.
“After I was told, it was really bad,” shares Sarah. “But it got better because then you realise you’re not going to die.”
Sarah was already booked in for a routine mammogram when she found a lump in her breast, but she was wrongly reassured by medics that everything was fine. Four months later, the lump was still there and Sarah’s husband Graham Swift urged Sarah to seek a second opinion.
“I phoned the GP this time,” says Sarah. “They just said, ‘Go straight to a breast cancer unit.’ At the breast cancer unit they do a mammogram, ultrasound and a biopsy all in one go. It’s amazing.”
Sarah asked them to text her the results but the clinicians insisted she return to receive them in person.
“I sort of knew I had cancer when I left there,” says Sarah. “My message to anyone would be if you’ve got a lump, just keep on checking.”
“In a funny way, Sarah had been expecting this to happen ever since I’ve known her,” says Graham, who has been married to Sarah since 2002.
This story is from the June 12, 2023 edition of OK! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 12, 2023 edition of OK! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE ROYAL WEEK
King Charles received a warm welcome back to work and the Duchess of Edinburgh made a heartfelt trip to Ukraine
Layers of lusciousness
You're probably familiar with layered tray-bakes such as lasagne. Now that classic savoury recipe has inspired these simple, sweet and luxurious puddings
BEAT STRESS TO GET YOUR GLOW
Mental health and conditions such as acne and rosacea are deeply linked, so taking care of your mind could help give you radiant skin
'I know I'll marry Andrew - he's my soulmate'
Love Island star-turned-disability champion Tasha Ghouri chats about her life since the show, engagement rings and living in the moment
'ADHD made sense of difficulties I'd had my entire life'
Suzanne Shaw opens up on her recent diagnosis and the impact it has had in the hope she can help others suffering in silence
STARS PUT ON A VARIETY SHOW
Famous faces turned up the glamour at the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards 2024 as the charity event celebrated its 75th anniversary
'I think the late Queen would have liked to bury me in a coffin full of rats!'
For 35 years, Jennie Bond has reported from a front row seat as royal history unfolds. In OK!'s exclusive interview, she recalls being on the receiving end of Queen Elizabeth's \"icy stare\" and the night she kept King Charles awake
'IT'S PRETTY EASY WORKING WITH JEREMY'
As a third series of Clarkson's Farm begins, Lisa Hogan tells us why she loves being in business with her famous boyfriend
'I've watched Michelle grow and flourish, she's incredibly talented'
After presenting Michelle Keegan with a major award, actress Natalie Anderson pays tribute to her friend and co-star and shares her own career plans and love of podcasting
'I'm so happy with the dynamic now, even though it's carnage!'
Reality TV's Billie Shepherd on adding to her brood, why she'd never say never to moving again, and filming with the kids