Sean Scanlon is taking on the 2026 London Marathon to raise funds for Prevent Breast Cancer after his wife Zoe was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 30. By sharing their story, Sean hopes to raise awareness of the challenges younger women can face in accessing early diagnosis while supporting vital research focused on preventing breast cancer before it starts.
For Sean, this challenge is about much more than crossing a finish line. It’s about raising awareness and raising vital funds to help create a future where fewer families face the devastating impact of breast cancer.
When life changed in an instant
Sean’s motivation for running is deeply personal:
Just ten months after what was the happiest day of our lives, my wife, Zoe, was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 30. Her diagnosis included both primary breast cancer and secondary breast cancer in the bone.
Her diagnosis was initially considered to be incurable, but we are thrilled to say that she has responded incredibly well to treatment and there is no longer any cancer present in the breast or bones.
Like many couples facing a life-changing diagnosis, the months that followed were filled with uncertainty, and adjustment. But through it all, they have remained determined to focus on what they can do to help others.
The challenge younger women can face
Zoe was only referred to see a specialist because she was over 30 years old. Like so many younger women, she fell below the routine breast screening age despite experiencing symptoms.
This highlights a gap in early detection for younger women and why the work of Prevent Breast Cancer is so urgently needed as we fund ground-breaking research into the prediction and prevention of breast cancer, helping us to identify those most at risk of the disease.
Turning something personal into something purposeful
For Sean, taking on the London Marathon is a way of turning a deeply personal experience into something purposeful:
Training for the marathon represents more than a physical challenge – it is an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges younger women can face when seeking a breast cancer diagnosis and to support research that could help protect future generations.
With just under two months to go, Sean has already raised an incredible £65,600! Many donations have been received directly from friends, family and colleagues, but Sean’s auntie and Zoe’s mum have also contributed greatly to Sean’s fundraising by hosting two cake and coffee morning – with one raising £1,000 in just one afternoon!
Sean and Zoe have also recently held a dinner and dance, complete with an auction and raffle, and raised a phenomenal £21,000.
Running for a future free from breast cancer
Every step of Sean’s marathon journey will help fund vital research aimed at creating a world where breast cancer can be prevented.
By supporting Prevent Breast Cancer’s work, fundraisers like Sean are helping bring us closer to a future where fewer people face the impact of breast cancer.
If you would like to support Sean, please visit his fundraising page.
Feeling inspired? Apply to run the next London Marathon for Prevent Breast Cancer or take a look at our upcoming events.
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.
