A lawyer from Cardiff decided to keep running when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and completed a marathon just two months after finishing treatment. Cath Thompson, 43, from Whitchurch, discovered a lump in August 2020 when she scratched an itch and noticed a hard lump underneath her nipple.
After a "terrifying" month waiting for results from a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies, she was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer and referred for surgery. The situation became worse when, in November 2020, surgeons discovered the lump had become bigger and micro-metastases (small cancer cells) had spread to the surrounding lymph nodes.
Cath was then told she needed radiotherapy. She said: "My life had turned on its head. When I first found out I had cancer I was so scared. I was scared of what my diagnosis meant for me, what it meant for my daughter, Ariane, who was 11 at the time.
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"No one should have to worry about seeing their child grow up. I’ve also got a phobia of needles, blood, surgery, hospitals – the lot, so my anxiety went through the roof."
Cath had to undergo counselling to come to terms with the diagnosis and keep her phobias at bay just to get in to the first surgery. A keen runner, she was also worried about the impact on her fitness.
"I was really distressed," she said. "It was hard to get my head around being fitter than I’d ever been, yet I had this thing growing in my body. I was also worried about the toll lifesaving treatment might have on my fitness."
She made a decision once it was confirmed she was having radiotherapy: "I decided I wanted to get back to running as soon as possible. I would run before my treatments at Velindre Cancer Centre, and I set myself running goals. The first was to run 5k, then 10k in December."
She kept training and ran two half-marathons while still in radiotherapy, and managed her first-ever full marathon just two months after finishing treatment. After running an ultramarathon four months after her 15th and final radiotherapy session, Cath is now running the Cancer Research UK Race for Life 10k with her friend Kate in Bute Park on Sunday, July 9.
Cath is now cancer free following the treatment. She said: "I know that research saves lives. That’s why I’m giving my heartfelt support to Race for Life. We all have a reason to Race for Life. For me it’s about ensuring future generations have better treatment and options available to them.
"It’s thanks to advances in research and treatments that I’m here and can enjoy more special moments with my family and friends and get back to doing what I love. I’m excited to Race for Life and play my part to fund research today which I hope will also help beat cancer for future generations."
Cancer Research UK's spokesperson in Wales, Emma Howell, said: "We are incredibly grateful to Cath for her support. We’d love for as many people as possible across Cardiff to join us during our 30th year of Race for Life.
"Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way. Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of, or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life.
"Together we can bring about a future free from the fear of cancer. So, we’re asking people across the region: Who will you race for? "
Race for Life raises funds for research to help beat 200 types of cancer. The Cardiff event takes place in Bute Park on Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9. There are 3k, 5k and 10k categories for women, men and children, as well as Pretty Muddy, a mud obstacle course available to adults and kids.
There are also events in Aberystwyth, Caernarfon, Cwmbran, Llanelli, Rhyl, Narberth and Swansea. To enter, visit raceforlife.org
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