We're so proud of our ambassador Lindsay, who recently attended a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Breast Cancer at Parliament. Taking her personal experience into an important conversation about earlier breast cancer risk assessment and screening.
For Lindsay, this is about something very personal. Diagnosed at 45, both her original cancer and her recurrence were detected through mammography, before she could feel a lump. She credits earlier detection with saving her life twice.
But getting access to earlier screening wasn't straightforward. Having been adopted, Lindsay has no access to her biological family medical history. At 32, following a benign lump, an exceptional consultant took her individual circumstances into account and made the decision to keep her under his care for earlier annual mammograms. That decision ultimately made earlier detection possible.
It's an experience that has stayed with Lindsay and driven more than a decade of campaigning for better identification and support for women at increased risk of breast cancer.
A fairer chance of earlier detection
Following her connection with Breast Cancer Now, Lindsay was invited to attend the APPG meeting to contribute to discussions about how people with a family history or increased risk of breast cancer can be better identified and supported.
Her message is clear: women should have access to meaningful breast cancer risk assessments before the age of 50, with appropriate screening and imaging based on their individual circumstances.
This isn't about offering every younger woman the same mammogram. It's about recognising that risk looks different for everyone, and making sure that women who may benefit from earlier screening aren't overlooked – including those who, like Lindsay, cannot provide a family medical history.
Lindsay attended in her personal capacity, sharing her own experiences and advocating for change, but she didn't go into that room alone. Proudly wearing her We Get It ambassador t-shirt, she took the backing of our charity and community with her.
The power of lived experience
At We Get It, we know how important it is for people affected by cancer to have their voices heard. Our experiences are all different, but sharing them can help others feel less alone, raise awareness and bring about meaningful change.
We're proud to stand alongside Lindsay as she continues to speak up and use her experience to help make a difference for others. 💛