Support Team

About Us:

Naz (Founder and Director)

On January 2, 2013, I was diagnosed with multi-focal breast cancer when I was in my 30s, in the prime of my life, had been promoted to full professorship the previous year, and my daughter was just under 3 years of age. It took me a while to regain my confidence post active treatment and I became aware of the lack of psychological support for women after active treatment when emotional vulnerability looms high. I became determined to apply my research on neurocognitive interventions in anxiety and depression to target emotional vulnerability and promote resilience towards a better quality of life in women with a breast cancer diagnosis. I was passionate to set up the centre for building resilience in breast cancer thanks to my mum who was the inspiration behind it. Our educational support network has grown with around 2200 UK members, with either a primary or secondary diagnosis of breast cancer. I have an amazing admin team behind me who has made our centre the award winning and successful network yet.

Vickie (Deputy Head)

When I received my primary diagnosis back in 2020, I quickly realised that while my scars were healing well, my mental recovery wasn’t going to be easy, or linear. It has taken time and effort and can feel very lonely. Finding BRiC was a real turning point for me. It’s somewhere I can share my fears and be completely honest, knowing there are others who understand. When I heard last year that my cancer had returned I was immediately (metaphorically) scooped up by our group members, who helped me face the prospect of more treatment and possible outcomes. I joined the Admin team because I saw an opportunity to make a difference. If I can help even one person to have a better day and feel more resilient in their situation, then I will absolutely be there. Nobody should feel they’re facing this journey without support.

Laura

At the age of 34 with an almost six month old baby son and a three year old daughter I was diagnosed with ER+ primary breast cancer. The word, ‘shock’ doesn’t adequately describe how it felt to be told at such a young age that I had breast cancer. Back then, in September 2001, before Facebook, Instagram and Twitter I found zero support available to me as a young woman facing a breast cancer diagnosis. I knew then, what it meant to feel very alone whilst trying to cope with two very small children and face the treatment outlined for me. I underwent 25 sessions of radiotherapy and a lumpectomy and started a five-year prescription for Tamoxifen. Three years later, I was diagnosed with another primary breast cancer in the same breast in 2004. The suggested course of action was a mastectomy. I agreed to have reconstructive surgery on the same day as my mastectomy using some of my latissimus dorsi muscle. Further radiotherapy wasn’t an option, hence my being offered the opportunity to have reconstructive surgery on the same day. There still continued to be very little support for people like me. Fast forward another three years and in December 2007, I was diagnosed with metastatic /secondary breast cancer affecting my lungs and pleural lining. The prognosis I was given was ‘up to 2 years.’ My initial treatment was FEC chemotherapy along with four days of ovarian radiation to close my ovaries. The FEC chemotherapy was ineffective; all of the tumour sites grew whilst undergoing 6 cycles of FEC. I was moved onto the AI drug, Letrozole, which has been controlling my disease for the last 16 years. I am beyond grateful and am acutely aware of how fortunate I have been that my disease is continuing to respond to Letrozole. I also receive Denusomab injections. When Nazanin invited me to join the BRIC admin team in 2020, I grasped the opportunity with both hands, driven by a determination to help ensure that every woman in the UK is supported through and beyond a diagnosis of breast cancer. I will never forget the feelings of loneliness and lack of support that I felt. BRIC provides what I didn’t have in the early days of my breast cancer history: support, care, compassion and a sense of unity as we face this disease together.

Lavinia

I was diagnosed ILC Christmas 2015. I had a radical single mastectomy with immediate expander, 25 sessions of radiotherapy and endocrine therapy. My route to a satisfactory reconstruction has been very long and difficult. I am currently waiting for removal of herniated implant and DIEP surgery. I was very fortunate to receive specialist cancer counselling after being diagnosed with PTSD in 2017 when I moved to a different hospital. I really understood how my negative experience made me feel abandoned and frightened. Receiving mental health support was a game changer for me. So when I was invited to join the BRiC Admin Team I wanted to join them because of Naz’s mission to bridge the gaping hole in ongoing support for women. When the medical care stops, you are largely on your own. I hope my input to the team helps other ladies build their resilience and go on to live well.

Marilyn

I was diagnosed ILC and DCiS May 2014. I had a lumpectomy and 4 lymph nodes removed, plan was just radiotherapy, but 3 out of 4 lymph nodes were positive, so I had another operation to remove the rest of lymph nodes from under my arm and a chemo port put in in June 2014. I had 6 rounds of chemo 3 FEC and 3 Docetaxel, 35 sessions of radiotherapy 10 years endocrine therapy tamoxifen and Letrozole. I was previously diagnosed with a rare thyroid cancer in 2008 after and operation to remove my thyroid due to graves, I had local recurrence of this in a lymph node. I found BRiC because a friend of mine sent me a panning for gold summary, so I joined BRIC in 2018. I was invited to join the BRiC Admin Team in 2022, at first I was worried what I could bring to admin, but then thought how much BRiC had helped me, and I thought I would like to help support women in the same way BRiC helped me.

Claire

Received my primary diagnosis in 2010. The rollercoaster moved quickly – surgery (local wide excision and full node clearance) followed swiftly by chemo then radiotherapy. My cancer was ER+ so Tamoxifen was deployed. Nobody told me what all of this would mean for my mental health, just the physical. Once the radio was done, it all seemed to catch up with me and I felt completely alone. Tamoxifen chugged on until I was approaching that 10 year “freedom” point and then everything changed. I had a cold virus, cough and lost my voice. Several visits to my GP followed with steroids and finally an x-ray and urgent ENT referral. Things moved fast, camera exploration showed my vocal chord wasn’t working so a CT scan was ordered. Sadly my results came on the morning my dad died. What a shock, “you have a tumour and we strongly suspect it is linked to your breast cancer”. My world caved in on that day. Subsequent scans revealed the extent – metastatic tumours in my chest lymph nodes and wall, my liver and possible spots on my spine. Because I was coping with the loss of my dad and supporting my mum, my feelings were numb and I really didn’t face up to things. That was when I turned to online support. Other groups just upset me, then a friend suggested BRiC. I haven’t looked back – it was what I needed, support and active participation helped me so much. I’m happy to report that, as far as I know, scans have shown my first line treatment to be effective, but life is lived in 4 month chunks going from scan to scan and I am very aware that things can turn on a sixpence. In the meantime I am grateful for having the support of family and friends and, of course, my BRiC family which picks me up just when it’s needed. Thank you Naz for creating this very special place.

Jo

I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2013. I was HER2+ and ER+. I had a WLE surgery first, followed by chemo and then 18 cycles of Herceptin, 25 sessions of radiotherapy and 10 years of tamoxifen. At the time I was in denial and went from session to session and was a bit switched off and in a blur. I only ever met and saw an oncologist once prior to the chemotherapy starting and haven’t seen anyone since. I was treated in Wales and our mammograms are 18 monthly for 10 years. Other than the mammograms I haven’t seen anyone in relation to my cancer. My beloved Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and secondaries in 2020 and I found it much more difficult watching her go through her experience as I felt helpless and raw.

Prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer I had suffered with serious MH illnesses, but surprisingly after my Cancer diagnosis I have totally switched my mindset and now am much more a half full type of girl, seeing the positives in situations as much as possible. There are of course challenges as everyone faces in life but my reactions are different as a result of going through cancer treatment. I have re-evaluated my goals. And have a different outlook in life. I make time to enjoy things in life, such as being in nature, doing creative activities, card making, playing my trumpet in an orchestra and changing my role in work to an aspect that I love. I was surprised to be asked to join the admin team earlier this year. I have found the support and friendship and non-judgemental opinions within BRIC match my values and I hope I can support members in the group.

Miranda

I was diagnosed on May 5th 2012 with primary breast cancer (ER+ HER-). 6 CM spread to lymph nodes. I didn’t find a lump I noticed a crease. True ostrich I ignored this for 2 months before venturing to the GP. Over the next two months of scans and biopsies I hoped for the best and was disappointed by bad news at every turn. I had a mastectomy in July and opted for an immediate lat dorsi reconstruction as I wanted to get it all over and done with. In hindsight this was a poor choice because I had to have radiotherapy afterwards and this has damaged the reconstruction. I had 8 lots of FEC-T chemo and 25 sessions of radiotherapy. I got through treatment with the help of a delightful Labrador puppy (Jessie) who gave me a positive focus. Seven years later in 2019 I went back to the GP with severe back and hip pain. I thought it was the recurrence of a disc problem I’d had a few years before. After two MRIS and bone and CT scans I found out by phone call that I had secondary disease in my bones liver and lungs. I had to wait ages for an oncology appointment but finally settled on a treatment of letraxole palbociclib and zometa. This plan has stabilised my disease and I am well. I struggled with side effects of joint pain, fatigue and low cell count and I have had some scary infections. My cancer diagnosis meant I retired early from work at the start of COVID. I try to stay hopeful and active which works for me. I struggle to take time for myself and rest well. I was drawn to BRIC by both the research based approach and the weekly practices which build community and encourage sharing, reflection and hopefulness. It’s focus on building resilience and adapting to change is inspiring. I am honoured to be an ADMIN and pleased to encourage others whatever their circumstances.

Jan

Over 12 years ago I was diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer, I found it purely by chance as I couldn’t feel a lump, just a barely visible dimple. A whirlwind of treatment followed, at the end of which I was left in a complete daze. My life now is in some ways very different, in some just the same. I am more easy-going, I tend to worry less and I’ve cut my hours at work. I now have more time to enjoy walking with my husband of 36 years or spending time with our grandchildren. I joined the BRiC private support group two months after it was formed, I found it via a friend who is sadly no longer with us. I knew immediately that I would feel at home here. It’s been a huge support to me when I’ve had wobbly moments, I love the honesty and openness of our members and the way we all support each other. Knowing that the things we go through – the side effects, the long-term changes, the emotional issues – are all shared with others is so reassuring. The fascinating research carried out by BRiC is vital to improving the lives of women with a breast cancer diagnosis, our psychological and emotional wellbeing is often ignored by professionals who are focused on the physical. In 2017 I was honoured to be asked to join the BRiC admin team and I enjoy being part of something so important. BRiC helped me cope in the early days after my diagnosis and treatment and still does; it’s a wonderful feeling knowing I can contribute to helping others.

BRiC is grateful to its former admin members as well as its former Deputy Heads (Tamsin Sargeant, Vicky Wilkes and Anita Traynor) who played a significant role in the making and development of BRiC.