On World Cancer Day, Denise marks 10 years since her first breast cancer surgery

“I was inundated with messages of hope,” says Denise Coates, thinking back almost a decade to the first time she spoke out about her breast cancer diagnosis.  “There’s nothing positive about getting cancer, but I’d had some CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) in the past so I knew my thoughts could help me face the challenge I was facing.”

For a cancer survivor like Denise, it’s an incredible coincidence that she had her first surgery on World Cancer Day: 4 February, back in 2016.

Since then, she’s had two more operations and become a tireless advocate and advisor for people with cancer, raising awareness about breast screening and passing on hints about living with cancer for patients and those closest to them.

Denise admits she had ignored a breast screening invitation when she first felt something when checking herself, but initially put It down to hormonal changes.  It was only when she told a friend that she realised she needed to book a screening appointment: “I was so busy with life that I just didn’t get round to it.  When I did, the weeks seemed to go by very quickly as I entered the cancer pathway.”

Denise was treated with radiotherapy at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in north London, and the Luton resident is keen to encourage local people to respond to the consultation which has just been launched on moving the specialist centre to a brand new location in Watford, with potential for a satellite clinic in either Luton or Stevenage.

A decade on, Denise has spent countless days giving something back, either by fundraising for charities and NHS services which supported her, or by passing on advice to others in the same situation.  Her self-help guide Breast Cancer Conquered Together (Troubador Publishing) is available from bookshops, and she is a regular speaker at community groups and schools in the Luton and Bedfordshire area.

Denise reflects on her experiences over the last 10 years since her diagnosis and feels she has learned about the best aspects of human nature: “I probably shouldn’t say this because I’m mindful of patients who may not survive, but I wouldn’t change having got cancer.  It taught me humility, compassion, empathy.  It was suddenly as if I was looking through a different set of eyes.

“There are so many kind people who only want to help.  For support I met up with four or five other women near me, nine years ago.  And there are thousands of women in support groups on Facebook who have all sorts of tips to help you cope.

“Cancer is unique to every patient, but all I’ve ever wanted to do is share what happened to me in the hope it would help someone else.”

Many charities offer advice and information on aspects of cancer, such as screening, self-examination (for breasts/chests and for testicles) and the effects of a cancer diagnosis.  The NHS website also carries information on all aspects of cancer.