My cancer diagnosis came just weeks after I had lost my dad to the disease
Mum Natalie on decision to have double mastectomy – and her unwavering support for Race for Life
A STAFFORD mum who has chosen to have both breasts removed to prevent her cancer returning, won’t let it break her stride as she raises cash for Cancer Research UK.
Natalie Burrows, 39, was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2022, just weeks after her dad, Rob, died of bladder cancer.
Further testing showed she carried a faulty version of a gene called PALB2 – the same gene that has affected TV presenter Sarah Beeny – putting her at increased risk of the cancer returning.
Now cancer-free and awaiting a second mastectomy, Natalie has been chosen to help launch Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life Pretty Muddy events across the region.
The mum of two – who raised more than £800 by taking part in Pretty Muddy during treatment last year – will sound the starting horn at the Weston Park event on Saturday, May 4 – and she is urging other people to sign up for one of five Race for Life events taking place in Staffordshire this summer.
Natalie - who works in children’s services for Staffordshire County Council – will take part in the Pretty Muddy 5k event with serviceman husband Steve, who plans to wear a fetching pink bra to help raise more awareness. The couple will be cheered on by their daughters, Ellie, seven and Maisie, five.
Natalie said: “Thanks to research
I’m still here to see my children grow up. Now I want to give something back.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was still grieving as I had just lost my dad from bladder cancer and I lost my son in 2020 during Covid when I was 33 weeks pregnant with him.
“I felt sorry for my girls. They’d just lost their grandad, and their mum had a cancer diagnosis.
“To be given a cancer diagnosis is frightening. It took a week or two for it to sink in and work out what it would mean for me and my family.”
In November 2022 Natalie discovered a pea-sized lump in her right breast.
Initially, she didn’t do anything as her husband Steve was away with the Army. However, when he returned just a few days later he convinced his wife to seek medical help.
After being seen by her GP, Natalie was referred to Stafford Hospital, but wasn’t too worried as she believed the lump to be a cyst.
She said: “After a couple of weeks I was called back to the hospital, and I knew straightaway it wasn’t going to be good news as there was a surgeon and nurses in the room.
“I remember them saying cancer and then after that, I didn’t hear anything. I zoned out and just stared out the window, but luckily Steve was with me and took it all in.
“My original plan was a lumpectomy and radiotherapy and after the initial shock and sadness I started to get my head around what I considered to be a fairly short treatment plan.”
Natalie had surgery to remove the lump along with 12 lymph nodes in January 2023. However, when the results came back, she had a further devastating shock - the cancer was bigger than first thought and had already spread to eight of the lymph nodes.
Testing revealed that
Natalie carried a mutated version of the PALB2 gene which left her at high risk of the cancer coming back in either breast.
Cancer Research UK funded scientists discovered the PALB2 gene, that normally protects against breast cancer, and worked out that up to 50 in every 100 women with a faulty version of the gene will develop breast cancer by the age of 70.
Natalie said: “When I got the results back from the genetic testing in March 2023 it was like being given the cancer diagnosis all over again.
“And that meant I then had to have chemotherapy – which was the hardest part of my journey. I also had a right-side mastectomy and reconstruction as well as radiotherapy.”
Because of the PALB2 gene, Natalie has now opted to have a double mastectomy and also faces the possibility of having her ovaries removed to further reduce her cancer risk.
Natalie said: “Cancer Research UK have been fantastic in funding new research, finding new genes and patterns to prevent cancer reoccurring within families.
“If you don’t know you have the gene you can suddenly find a lump like I did in the shower one day and then you are faced with a life-threatening disease with a year – possibly more – of continuous treatment and surgery.
“If you are found to have the gene then you have that plan of action of reducing your risk of getting cancer before it even starts and your chances of survival are much, much higher.
“Without my family behind me I would never have got through the last 12 to 18 months as both my husband and the girls have been fantastic. It has been a tough and gruelling journey at times, but I have remained strong for my girls and have kept as fit as I can.
“With those we love we are capable of anything, especially allowing ourselves to cry, pick ourselves up and carry on.
“I may not be that same person I was before, but I am learning to love the new me. There are so many amazing and kind people I have met on this journey so far from nurses, surgeons, support groups, and charities who offer so much to those of us living with cancer.”
Every year around 33,800 people are diagnosed with cancer in the West Midlands. Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - moving closer to a world where everyone can live free from the fear of cancer.
Natalie said: “If you haven’t done a Race for Life or a Pretty Muddy and are thinking of signing up, then get your friends, family, and children to join in and do it with you.
“The money you raise will go towards life-saving research and it’s helping people like me and my family fight cancer – so thank you.”
People of all ages and abilities are welcome to take part in Pretty Muddy 5k and Pretty Muddy Kids at Weston Park at 9.45am on May 4
To enter, visit raceforlife.org