Katy Davies was diagnosed with breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 2021. Following her recovery, she’s passionate about sharing her story and giving back through her eco-conscious business.
As the founder of ecojiko, a family-run business dedicated to reducing waste and single-use plastics through reusable, eco-friendly essentials with a playful twist, Katy is now proudly partnering with Prevent Breast Cancer:
Prevention is key. My tumour was less than a millimetre from spreading. Had I not found it when I did, the outcome could have been very different. Knowing your body, understanding what’s normal for you, and checking yourself regularly is vital. I love how open and collaborative the Prevent Breast Cancer community is and it’s a cause close to my heart.
Through her business, Katy is part of Buy Women Built, a UK-based initiative that celebrates and supports female-founded brands:
Many brands in the network have been affected by breast cancer in one way or another, and so it’s the perfect platform to raise awareness. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re coming together to raise vital funds for Prevent Breast Cancer and share powerful stories across social media. Collaboration is key to spreading awareness, encouraging early detection, and ultimately saving lives.
Explore and shop from incredible female-founded businesses raising funds for Prevent Breast Cancer this Breast Cancer Awareness Month*, including: ecojiko, HER Bodywear, Single Swan, Anna James the Label, Good Wash Day, Eco Green Living, Official True Beauty, Caboodle, Evenly, Snoap, Hair Loving, Trainer Trash, Well & Truly, and Fleur of England.
We spoke to Katy about her diagnosis, her recovery, and how she’s turning her experience into action.
In October 2021, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I found a lump. I was fit, healthy, and had no reason to suspect anything serious. Surely, I thought, it’s just a benign cyst. But within weeks, I was diagnosed with an aggressive, fast-growing HER2+ (triple positive) breast cancer.
The days between the biopsy and the diagnosis were some of the longest of my life. I could tell from the looks on the nurses’ faces during an ultrasound that it wasn’t a good outcome. They were very quiet and kept looking at each other with concern. Once I had a treatment plan, I felt calmer. Having a direction gave me something to hold onto.
Katy explained what worried her the most:
I worried constantly about the future, especially about my children losing their mum and what would be our new normal post treatment. I became obsessed with getting everything in order, creating a “death plan” to make things easier if the worst happened. Once that was done, I felt I could relax more.
One of the most difficult moments was telling my daughters, who were just 10 and 11 at the time. It was a relief to finally tell them, but very upsetting. They were concerned about me losing my hair, and so I decided to shave my head (a friend also joined me). We gave the clippers to my daughters, and they helped. It was very emotional but somehow positive that we were taking control. My partner was incredibly supportive, along with friends who made dinners and helped with the kids when I was in hospital.
We asked Katy what her highs and lows were:
For me, the lows included the not knowing and my treatment plan changing. Finding out treatment had to continue for a year was tough, and the sickness from the chemo was grim. I advocated for a change of chemo as I had lost so much weight, and thankfully the new chemo was so much better with far less horrid side effects.
As for the high points, there were so many: the nurses, loved ones, nature – it kind of makes you feel like you’re seeing the world in technicolour when you think that time may be limited. Humour was key. We laughed a lot throughout it – dark humour became a comfort and allowed people around me to feel more at ease.
I used to sit in the garden in winter, wrapped up. The birds used to fly so close to me, even land on me! The outdoors gave me such peace. I would walk as far as I could and really looked after my health. Being ill made me fall in love with the world again.
Katy admits that she’s not sure she’s processed everything she’s been through:
The new normal has taken over now – I’m not the same person, but there are still positives. Life has changed and I look after myself a lot more.
If I was to offer advice to someone going through a similar experience, I would say take one step at a time and know that the time WILL pass, nothing is permanent. Find what makes you comfortable, don’t be afraid to ask for help (people want to help) and hold your loved ones close.
Through ecojiko and her partnership with Prevent Breast Cancer, Katy’s turning her experience into action, raising awareness and supporting vital research. When asked what a breast cancer free future means to her, Katy’s answer is simple, but profound: ‘The world’.
Katy’s story is a reminder that every voice, every business, and every act of awareness brings us one step closer to a future where breast cancer is no longer feared.
*All of the brands involved in this campaign have completed a corporate partnership agreement in line with the guidance from the Fundraising Regulator.
About Prevent Breast Cancer
Prevent Breast Cancer is the only UK charity entirely dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer – we’re committed to freeing the world from the disease altogether. Unlike many cancer charities, we’re focused on preventing, rather than curing. Promoting early diagnosis, screening and lifestyle changes, we believe we can stop the problem before it starts. And being situated at the only breast cancer prevention centre in the UK, we’re right at the front-line in the fight against the disease. Join us today and help us create a future free from breast cancer. If you have any questions or concerns, email us today.
