I want to lower the age for women to have their first mammogram from 50 to 45. When I was 45 and a half (September 2018) I found a pea sized lump in my right breast. The male GP at my local surgery said it was nothing to worry about and sent me on my way making me feel like I was wasting his time.

During the first lockdown in July 2020 I started having pain my left hip/lower back which continued until the November when I started seeing a sports therapist just assuming I had pulled something or it was sciatica. The pain subsided for 4 months (April 21) then returned even worse. I then went to a chiropractor who recommended I seek a MRI scan. I hadn’t been to the Doctors due to lockdown. In the meantime, late April 21 I noticed changes in my right nipple and end of May 21 I then felt a lump in my right breast. I went straight to the doctors where the helpful young lady GP referred me straight away. I had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy taken. I just knew it was breast cancer.

The morning I was due to visit the breast care unit to receive my results I fell at home in my kitchen and broke my hip. When I reached the hospital in A & E the doctor broke the news that I did indeed have Stage 4 breast cancer and secondary cancer in my hip which had spread to the bone. I was in hospital for 3 weeks, the Medical professionals were amazing, my hip has been reconstructed and the tumour removed but there is still some cancer in my hip bone. I am responding well to the medication but I still have stage 4 cancer.

I can’t help that the blame lies with the male GP that simply sent me on my way when I first found the lump, but not solely with him as if I had a mammogram aged 45 this would have been found so much sooner and the lump could have been dealt with before it spread to secondary stage 4 cancer and would have saved so much pain to myself and my loved ones but the extra cost to the NHS from 3 weeks in hospital, the operation, physio, and all of my medication of which there is a lot.

I’m sure my case isn’t the first. My cancer is hormonal, apparently I’ve been on the pill for too long, too much oestrogen in my body but I’ve been allowed to continue to take it by my Doctors. Please help me with this online petition.

Now aged almost 49 I still wouldn’t have been due my first mammogram and I have stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer in my right breast with secondary cancer in my left hip. Please sign, this could save so many lives.