Helen’s story: Breast Cancer Awareness Month | News

If you've been seeing more pink ribbons lately, you're not imagining it. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and campaigns across the media are helping to raise awareness and support for those affected by breast cancer. The messaging to women and men alike (approx. 400 men are diagnosed every year) is check your breasts, regularly and thoroughly.  

At Royal Surrey, breast cancer the second most treated cancer with over 2,700 treatments in the 12 months up to September 2026. Cases are picked up either through GP referrals or via the national screening programme and once diagnosed there may be a huge amount of information to digest and choices to be made.  

Surgery to remove cancerous cells is normally the first course of treatment but the type of surgery will depend on the individual cancer and then there are options with reconstruction surgery too. The right choice depends on body type, overall health, need for radiation therapy and personal recovery goals. 
In 2011, this was what Helen was facing. She said:

“Once you are diagnosed, and if you need your surgery almost immediately, you learn about your surgical options pretty quickly. You have to make decisions quickly; I had a four-week window to talk and do some research about what was available for me."

At Royal Surrey the surgical specialists offer reconstructive surgery, including Therapeutic Mammoplasty, LICAP/AICAP, and Implant based reconstructions. Working alongside with the plastic surgeons at Queen Victoria Hospital, Free Flap reconstructions - where tissue such as skin or fat is moved from one part of the body to another - are also offered.

Helen was seen by Tracey Irvine, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon (pictured above with Helen), and was one of the first patients at Royal Surrey to have a procedure called Strattice breast reconstruction. She said:

“It was brand new. I knew whatever surgery I was going to have, I wanted what was best for my personal situation.  Not many people were doing this type of reconstruction but when I talked to Tracey, I knew I was in the best hands.”

Tracey Irvine said:

“Around 30% of women have reconstruction at the same time as their mastectomy and it’s important to find the right option to fit with their breast size, body shape and lifestyle. We are very fortunate to have a wide range of surgical techniques on offer which means we can avoid the need for mastectomy for many of our patients. We also work with our excellent plastic surgical colleagues at The Queen Victoria Hospital so we can offer our patients the full range of reconstructive options and together with our experienced breast care nursing team we can support our patients to make the reconstructive decision that is the right one for them.”

Helen has just been back to Royal Surrey to have an implant exchange, 15 years after her first surgery. She said:

“I’ve worked really hard on rehabilitation and looking after myself after my first surgery. It’s so important to be kind to yourself and look after the surgery you have chosen.”

And Helen echoes the symbolic messaging of the pink ribbons, she said:

“I always want to say - check your breasts, if you find anything, please go sort it out, the sooner you find it, your outcomes will hopefully be so much better.”

For further information go to our Breast cancer web pages ,  Breast Cancer Now or Coppafeel!