Cathy: I’m thankful I caught the cancer early every day

Cathy joins BooBee’s Big Campaign

‘I’m thankful I caught the cancer early every day’

Our BooBee Ambassadors are 100 women who have been affected by breast cancer. They are joining together to fundraise and spread awareness for a future free from breast cancer. Our BooBees are raring to go and would love for you to join them for their flagship fundraising event – BooBee presents Bingo Bedlam – a high-octane evening of emotion, inspiration and FUN at Manchester Central on November 19th.

Nearly 10 years have passed since Cathy Yates, 54, from Stockport, was given the devastating news that she had breast cancer.

Fast forward to 2022 and she has signed up as a BooBee Ambassador as part of BooBee’s Big Campaign. Cathy has very kindly shared her story with us and explained why she has joined this vitally important campaign in support of Prevent Breast Cancer.

Could you share with us a summary of your experience with breast cancer?

In 2013, at the age of 44, a single mum to 9-year-old daughter, I was lying in bed one morning when I thought my left breast felt uncomfortable. I checked it and found a lump. There had been no cancer in the family, and I was under 50, so I hadn’t started routine mammograms. However, I was lucky to get a GP appointment the next day and was referred to the breast clinic within a week where I had a mammogram and biopsy. Two weeks later I was devasted to learn that it was cancer. I had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. It was a gruelling time, but I held on to the determination that I was going through this to get the rest of my life back. It won’t be long until I reach 10 years cancer free, and I am thankful every day that I caught the cancer early and the NHS moved so fast with its treatment.

Are you currently undergoing treatment?

I am on Letrozole until 10 years has passed after my treatment completion date.

What inspired you to apply to take part in the BooBee’s Big campaign?

One of my friends who was diagnosed a couple of years after me became a BooBee during the previous campaign, Breastfest, and in 2019, I attended the main event of the campaign – The Afternoon Bee. I was inspired hearing about all the research into how cancer can be prevented in the future – something I hope for my daughter and her generation. Seeing all the BooBees on stage filled me with admiration as well as making me quite emotional

What are you hoping to gain from the experience?

I really want to help raise money for research as well as spreading the word about checking your breasts and getting an early diagnosis where possible – and the bus (more on this below) is an amazing way of promoting this health education. It will also be an enormous personal challenge for me to do the lingerie catwalk during BooBee presents Bingo Bedlam.

Thanks to Cathy for sharing her journey to becoming a BooBee Ambassador with us today.

BooBee presents Bingo Bedlam

Tickets are on sale for the flagship fundraising event – BooBee presents Bingo Bedlam – an evening of bingo and entertainment with an ’80s twist! The night will also include a special catwalk by our BooBees. Show your support by inviting your friends and family and joining us for a party like no other, at an award-winning venue in the heart of Manchester.

BooBee’s Big Campaign

As part of BooBee’s Big Campaign, our BooBees will be spreading awareness by taking to the streets of Manchester in November on a huge bright pink bus. Make sure you keep an eye on our social media to hear where we will be visiting. In the meantime, be sure to book your tickets for the flagship fundraising event – BooBee presents Bingo Bedlam.