Mum Claire inspires Belfast after breast cancer diagnosis

The mum-of-two, who is set to complete her final radiotherapy session in four days time, was guest of honour at Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life Belfast last Sunday, sounding the starter horn to send 1,570 participants on the 3k and 5k courses at Stormont.

More than £145,000 was raised, vital funds which will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer- to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer. Over the last 50 years, the charity’s work has helped double breast cancer survival in the UK.

Every year, around 10,700 people are diagnosed with cancer in Northern Ireland.

Claire, who has a faulty gene putting her at higher risk of some cancers, knows exactly how vital it is raise funds for life-saving research. She cheered on a team of 26 family, friends and neighbours who live near her home in Comber, County Down and took part in Race for Life in her honour.

Claire said: “I come from an amazing family of strong women who have walked this path with breast cancer before and I felt incredibly proud to stand on the start line to launch Race for Life.

“Just weeks after my 40th birthday I rang the GP as I had found a lump. I was red flagged for scans in hospital. It was scary in those early days and it was easy to spiral in to some dark moments.

"But however much I felt ripped off that I might have cancer so young, I knew that I had been through tough things in the past, that I’d face it and get through it.”

Two years earlier, genetic testing revealed that Claire had a faulty ATM gene. Doctors explained that the ATM gene is known as a tumour suppressor gene as it helps prevent cancer from developing by spotting DNA damage and repairing it.

Some people inherit a fault in the ATM gene. When this gene doesn’t work as it should, cells can find it harder to repair DNA damage. Over time, this can increase the risk of certain cancers.

It was confirmed on September 4 last year that Claire had breast cancer. She was the fourth person on her mum’s side of the family to be diagnosed.

Just three years earlier, Claire had supported her mum, Denise Dutton through the disease. Claire’s gran and her aunt had also been treated for breast cancer. Waiting for the results of more scans to check the cancer had not spread was challenging.

Claire said: “The three-week wait for the results of CT and MRI scans was unbearable.

“But my mum was by my side. I’d supported my mum through breast cancer and now she was there to help me. My mum is probably the most selfless person I know. Mum has come with me to every appointment. If there are those who think I’m brave and strong, it’s because of mum. I’m proud to be her daughter.”

On November 3 last year at Ulster Hospital in Belfast, Claire had mastectomy and reconstruction surgeries. It was challenging getting through Christmas, knowing that on December 31, she faced the first of six chemotherapy sessions.

When the side effects of chemotherapy meant her shoulder length blonde hair started to fall out, Claire vowed to take back control. Supported by her husband Ryan, 44, her sons Sam, 12, and George, nine, close family and friends, she shaved her hair. Claire said: “It became a special moment with my special people.

“In the initial stages of cancer diagnosis, I had held on to a lot of fear. Life had felt out of control. I’d always loved doing my hair and running my hands through my hair. Now choosing when I finally lost my hair was a way of taking back control.

“My boys cut my hair then two friends who I’ve known for the longest shaved it. I didn’t want my kids to feel upset so it was important to me that they felt part of the process. I hope the boys will remember it in a positive way. It wasn’t nearly as sad as it might have been.

"And actually losing my eyelashes has felt almost as bad as losing the hair on my head. Now when I wake up in the morning and look in the mirror I barely recognise myself.”

Claire had her final chemotherapy session in mid-April ahead of 15 sessions of radiotherapy which she was due to complete yesterday.

She may also later be prescribed ribociclib, a type of targeted cancer drug called a cancer growth blocker.

Claire’s team who also picked up well earned medals after completing the Race for Life last Sunday were part of a team who raised more than £1,220 for Cancer Research UK.

They joined crowds which included participants in fancy dress and members of the Rock Choir entertained Race for Life participants as they followed the route through the picturesque park land at Stormont.

Earlier in the day, Ms Northern Ireland beauty queen Anouska Black sounded the start horn for the 10k participants. Other teams taking part included Jen Marshall and family from Belfast who completed the 10k in memory of Jen’s dad Pete Marshall who died from lung cancer in 2022. A team from St John the Baptist Primary School in Finaghy Road, Belfast also took part and cheered on pupils.

Now organisers are sending a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone who put their best feet forward as well as their supporters. And they’re appealing for people to make every step count by paying in sponsorship money as soon as possible.    

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Northern Ireland said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Belfast.   

“Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it. We’re proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years.

“Race for Life powers progress and it relies on a whole community of people coming together, united by a common purpose to beat cancer.

“It was a special day as people came together to celebrate the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and to remember loved ones lost to the disease. "

Since it began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life, contributing millions of pounds towards life-saving research.

Cancer Research UK funded scientists led the development of the Human Papillomavirus Virus vaccine, which is expected to prevent almost 90 per cent of cervical cancers in the UK.

The charity were a key player in the development of radiotherapy which now benefits millions of cancer patients worldwide.