Emma Byrne has been shining a spotlight on the importance of “knowing your own body” ever since she was first diagnosed with breast cancer.
She was at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin for a gall bladder infection in 2014 when she first spotted dimpling on her breast and pointed it out to nurses, who took her for further tests.
The mum-of-two from Buckie did not have any other symptoms and couldn’t feel any lumps or pain.
But, a few weeks later she was shocked to learn she had cancer – just shortly after her 32nd birthday.
Since then, she has been sharing her story online in the hope she can encourage others to check themselves and potentially catch a diagnosis early on.
People have even been coming up to her on the street to say they found her inspiring and they never would have thought to check themselves so young if it wasn’t for her.
Following chemotherapy in Elgin, and surgery and radiotherapy at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Mrs Byrne was told she was cancer free.
However, during a routine check-up last year she once again noticed something wasn’t quite right.
The mammogram didn’t pick anything up but when she spotted the familiar dimpling she returned to her GP and pushed for a referral.
Eventually, after a CT and MRI scan, she was given the devastating news her cancer had returned to both breasts – and had also spread to her pelvis and spine.
‘Making lots of memories’
Although her cancer is incurable, Mrs Byrne is determined to stay positive and focus on making memories.
“You can either curl into a ball and just shrivel up,” the 40-year-old said. “Or you can take the positives from it.
“While I’m feeling well I’m just packing in as much as I can in the meantime and making lots of memories.”
One of those memories will be taking part in Courage on the Catwalk in aid of Friends of Anchor next month. As well as raising vital funds, she wants to use her time in the spotlight to raise awareness about the importance of checking yourself.
She said: “Everyone just thinks of lumps, but dimples are one sign, and inverted nipples, but any changes to your breast can be a sign.
“I would encourage people to start checking and know how they’re supposed to look, the quicker you’re alerted to any changes that can make a difference to your treatment.
“I think you just know your own body.”
Although she didn’t spend any time in the Anchor Unit herself, she is looking forward to “giving something back” after her cousin Sharon Innes was supported by the charity when she had non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Mrs Innes has since volunteered to help with doing the makeup for the models, and suggested Mrs Byrne take part in the fashion show.
When it was first brought up last year, she didn’t feel ready – but after a few “gentle nudges” from her cousin she decided to go for it and hasn’t looked back since.
She says she has made “friends for life” after joining the 23 other models preparing for the catwalk.
“It’s been amazing meeting these other women who are all so inspiring and going through their own battles,” she said.
“It’s been phenomenal and I’m really pleased I’ve taken part.”
‘Still living in hope’
Mrs Byrne says she also has a strong support network at home, describing her husband Paul as her “rock”. But while he is away working offshore her mum is there on hand to help as well as her close friends.
She says their two children Elise, 15 and Riley, 11, have given her the strength to keep fighting.
Mrs Byrne also returned to her job as an early years support worker at St Peter’s Nursery and says it keeps her busy and takes her mind off the diagnosis.
She said: “There’s not a day that goes by when somebody’s not popping by and offering to do something, and my colleagues as well have been really supportive. I’ve been very very lucky in that sense.”
“And I’m still living in hope,” she added. “The treatment that I’m getting just now is working so far so I just have to hope for positive news at every scan for the time being.
“Even though you’ve got a diagnosis you can still go on living your life and staying as positive as possible helps with that for sure.”
Mrs Byrne is fundraising for the Anchored Together Appeal and has already raised over £3,000 for the charity.
Courage on the Catwalk will take place at the Beach Ballroom on May 6 and 7.
Conversation