From cancer patient to marathon runner - Susanna’s story

Image: Susanna with husband Neil and their children Yasmin and Ethan. Credits: Susanna Stephenson 

Here, Susanna explains why she’s so passionate about raising money to support our
research.

 

With no family history of cancer, and being fit and healthy, my diagnosis came as a complete shock. I found a lump in my breast and it made me go cold - I just knew it wasn’t right. I went to my doctor who referred me quickly for a biopsy. Luckily it was caught early. I had surgery and radiotherapy, followed by five years of a hormone therapy called tamoxifen.

 

When I was first diagnosed, the hardest thing was telling my kids. Everybody still has the
idea that when you mention cancer, it means you’re going to die. But so much research is going on and treatments are improving every day which means it can be a positive outcome for many people.

I was a keen runner before my diagnosis. When the kids were little I’d pop out whenever I could as a way to keep fit and I’ve always enjoyed it. I’d run some half marathons and my husband, Neil, kept saying that he thought I had a marathon in me, but I wasn’t so sure.

 

When I was diagnosed with cancer, it put a stop to the running for a while. But after my initial treatment, I slowly got back into it. I started thinking that maybe I could do a marathon and that I could prove to myself that I was getting over cancer and moving on. I needed a challenge I hadn’t had before.

In October 2019 I was finishing my five years of hormone treatment. It was a big milestone, and I knew it was the right time to take on a marathon. I managed to get a place for the London Marathon and was due to take part in 2020, but then the pandemic happened.

 

I’d already trained to run up to 20 miles when the event was cancelled, so I did it locally in Nottingham where I live with a couple of friends. But I was determined to get to London at some point. Now I can’t believe it’s almost here!

 

I’ve raised over £4,000 from donations from friends and family. Neil and I also put on some ‘Curry and quiz nights’ in the local village hall to raise funds.

Everybody knows someone affected by cancer and there are many different types. There’s so much research that needs to be done to try and improve the outcomes for anybody getting any type of cancer. The more money I can raise for the ICR to do research, the better.

 

On the day I’ll be cheered on by Neil and our children, Yasmin and Ethan. I’m nervous, but excited at the same time. Life is all about challenges. If I can get over cancer, then I can take on a challenge that I’ve chosen to do.