Victoria, 51, started her career as a reporter in local radio before joining BBC Radio 5 Live and co-presented the breakfast show. The programme went on to win the Gold Sony Awards and propelled her journalistic career. Victoria worked on a number of television shows during her career including Newsnight, This Week, BBC News Channel, and Watchdog. On 29 July Victoria underwent a biopsy after noticing an inverted nipple and by 31 July, it was confirmed that had breast cancer. Always a wwho is the epitome of strength, Victoria decided to video her journey to help others suffering with a breast cancer diagnosis. Sitting up in her hospital bed in an NHS gown, Victor pieces of card to the camera. On one, she had written: “This morning I had breast cancer.” Then she showed the other card stating: “This evening I don’t.”
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. Most women who are diagnosed with the condition are aged over 50, however, younger women can also get breast cancer.
The NHS said: “About one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There’s a good chance of recovery if it’s detected in its early stages.
For this reason it’s vital that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always get any changes examined by their GP.”
It was Victoria’s quick thinking and self diagnosis when noticing the change in her nipple’s that possibly saved her life.
Symptoms of breast cancer include:
- A change in size or shape of one or both breasts
- Discharge from either of the nipples
- A lump or swelling in either of the armpits
- Dimpling on the skin of the breasts
- A rash on or around the nipple
- A change in appearance of the nipple, such as becoming sunken into the breast
Losing your hair makes you look like a cancer patient. I didn’t want to look like a cancer patient
Victoria Derbyshire
Speaking to The Guardian, Victoria said: “Losing your hair makes you look like a cancer patient. I didn’t want to look like a cancer patient.
“I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me. I’m not saying I wanted people to be unkind, because many people were gorgeous to me. I just didn’t want to be pitied.”
What wisdom did Derbyshire accrue from living with a breast cancer diagnosis? “Cancer shouldn’t have this uber-powerful status,” she said.
“Cancer can be manageable, you can go to work, have a drink if you want to, pick kids up from school.
“I didn’t know you could do all those things when you had cancer. I’d no idea, so that was the big surprise for me.”
Losing your hair makes you look like a cancer patient. I didn’t want to look like a cancer patient
Victoria Derbyshire
In 2018 she took part in an ITV programme, ‘The Real Full Monty’ in which she and seven other women affected by breast cancer, bared all to encourage women to check their bodies and look for signs of breast cancer.
It was watched by 6.5 million people.
If you or someone you know suspects you may have breast cancer it’s important to get checked immediately by your GP.
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