"I’m here to tell my story, and I’ve never stopped feeling grateful." Sue Vincent, who was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer aged just 54.
My name is Sue Vincent, and I’d like to share my story about an incredible cancer drug that has given me my life back – and has given back my daughters their mum, and my grandchildren their nan.
In 2007 I was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. I had surgery followed by six months of debilitating chemotherapy. I lost my hair, I lost my dignity, my personality - and felt like I had lost myself.
During this time, I underwent genetic testing and discovered I carried a fault in a gene called BRCA2 which greatly increased my risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer.
After just three years, my cancer had returned and spread. Remarkably, I was offered a place on a clinical trial for a new drug, the development of which was underpinned by research at The Institute of Cancer Research, London. Fourteen years on, I’m still taking olaparib. It’s given me a quality of life I could only have dreamed about.
I feel extremely lucky to be offered that trial of olaparib. I’ve always felt that research is vital in finding new treatments and cures, and I wanted to play my part in that progress.
But world-class research like this takes time and investment. That’s why I’m asking for your support, so that more women like me can survive cancer and get their lives back too.
Donate now
Natasha, diagnosed with breast cancer aged 45. Natasha is now cancer-free thanks to successful treatments.