A woman from Heysham who has raised thousands for charity is encouraging women to attend their routine screening appointments after her own breast cancer diagnosis.
Vicki Edwards was 54 when she received the news in 2024 that she had primary breast cancer.
Vicki, who runs Mossgate Day Nursery in Heysham, was attending her second routine mammogram.
Alongside raising awareness during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Vicki is fundraising for CancerCare, a local charity that provides support to people affected by cancer and bereavement.
During 2024, Vicki raised £3,000 for various charities, and she is continuing her efforts for CancerCare this year.
The NHS invites most women between 50 and 70 for breast cancer screening via mammogram every three years.
“I had no symptoms at all, and I was in perfect health,” she said.
“The mammogram detected that something was abnormal. I can’t even imagine what the outcome could have been if I hadn’t gone to that appointment.”
Vicki described her treatment as a “whirlwind.”
“Everything happened so quickly once I was diagnosed, and I can’t fault the NHS for how they responded.
"Exactly 42 days after being diagnosed, I had a lumpectomy, and two weeks after that I was informed that the surgeon had got all the cancer out – there was 12mm of cancer to remove. I then had preventative radiotherapy.”
Vicki was referred to CancerCare by her Macmillan nurse. She benefited from sessions of The Alexander Technique and she continues to participate in the charity’s virtual yoga sessions.
“CancerCare has been an incredible support to me,” she said.
“I’m constantly grounded, too, as I’m always meeting and connecting with new people going through their own cancer journeys.”
Vicki has a JustGiving page open for donations, and Mossgate Nursery and local group Jubilee Flower Arranging Club are hosting The Big Bloom Raffle.
“We have some amazing prizes, including overnight stays and meal vouchers," she said.
"We are also hosting a Gruffalo Dash and a Halloween Disco to raise even more funds for CancerCare.”
Vicki is spending the month speaking to local women, too.
“I want to encourage women to go for their mammograms; they save lives.
"I never, ever thought I’d hear the words ‘you have cancer,’ but I found myself in that situation.
“I am spending October out in the community, speaking to strangers and informing people about how to get support locally. Women need to take time out to look after themselves. Helping others has given me a focus, too, and it’s helped me move forward after my diagnosis.”
Lancaster festival headlined by Tinchy Stryder is cancelled
LISTEN: How Pride in Place team hope to make difference in West End of Morecambe
Cat charity speaks out after nine kittens "in bad way" found by roadside in Morecambe
Council condemns fly tippers after multiple incidents across Lancaster district
Carnforth man who broke neck in swimming pool accident flown home after £150K appeal
Lancaster Farms prison to gain 240 extra places as part of national expansion programme
Lancaster comic Jon Richardson returning home for theatre show
Three arrests after cars stolen from house and pharmacy break-in near Lancaster
Firefighters tackle vehicle fire on Bay Gateway
Morecambe's lifeboat crew respond to report of person shouting for help
"Massive explosions" amid fire on Morecambe industrial estate
LISTEN: Friends' new social group is bringing women together in Morecambe
Lancaster schoolgirl, eight, takes campaign to save bees to Westminster
Motorbike rider taken to hospital with serious injuries after crash at Carnforth
LISTEN: Morecambe coffee shop owner thanks community for support after break-in
Appeal after vandals spray graffiti on new Lancaster public bins
Lancaster footballer Scott McTominay has successful heart op
Two new jobs announced at Eden Project Morecambe
Building society in Morecambe’s West End to close
LISTEN: How Rajah the elephant came home
