Each year in the UK, approximately 55,000 women receive the news they have breast cancer. At Voyage DCA Leicestershire, Tammy, a person we support, was one of those women.
Tammy joined one of our supported living homes when she was in her mid-30s. Our team provided her with person-centred support to help with household tasks, living a healthy lifestyle, and managing appointments. With their support, Tammy established daily routines that balanced household tasks, appointments, and self-care, encouraging regular check-ins and listening to any changes in her wellbeing.
So, when Tammy developed a persistent cough, our team encouraged her to see her doctor, who noticed she had some swelling in her lymph glands. Tammy checked her breasts and was surprised to find a lump. Shortly after, Tammy was diagnosed with breast cancer that had already spread.
Faced with uncertainty, Tammy knew this was the start of an unexpected journey. But with our dedicated support team by her side, Tammy bravely faced cancer. With continuous person-centred support, she was empowered throughout her journey.
Safe, specialist support
When Tammy was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was upset and scared. Our team comforted her and gave her a safe space to embrace her emotions. Knowing they were there whenever she needed them, Tammy soon started to gain confidence about the journey ahead of her.
Before starting treatment, Tammy had a mastectomy, and her right breast was removed. Her team at the hospital successfully removed her cancer but this was only the start of her recovery. Tammy had a long journey ahead of her.
Tammy had lots of appointments to manage along her journey. Our team helped her manage her busier schedule and coordinated their shifts around her treatment. Even though Tammy was very independent, they ensured she had support at every stage of her cancer journey. This lifted her spirits and her confidence along the way.
After her cancer was removed, Tammy needed courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to stop it returning. She learned lots of information about these procedures and what was happening in her body. Our team helped her find information on the internet and to connect with other women who survived breast cancer. Empowered by this knowledge, Tammy understood everything the doctors told her during her appointments.
Along with Tammy’s dedicated breast cancer team, they ensured she was comfortable during her appointments. When she was due to have scans or tests, they showed her treatment rooms and equipment beforehand, explaining what they were for and how they worked. With trusted faces supporting her, Tammy was empowered to take her treatment in her stride!
Beyond breast cancer
Tammy bravely navigated her breast cancer journey. After she received her last course of treatment in February 2025, both Tammy and our team beamed with pride as she left the hospital. On her way out, she made one last stop to ring the bell and let the world know she’d beaten breast cancer!
Since finishing her treatment, Tammy’s introduced some lifestyle changes to stay as healthy as possible! She uses a parasol and wears strong sun protection every day to protect her skin and reduce her risk of developing secondary skin cancer. Tammy’s taken ownership of these changes. At first, she needed prompts from our team to apply her sunscreen. Now, she’s applying it by herself and even carries it around in her handbag, so she can top up on the go!
With the dedication of our specialist team, Tammy’s bravely taken on all these lifestyle changes with ease. She’s even added in some extra health-boosting tools, like eating healthier and keeping her flat extra clean. With her wellbeing always supported by our team, Tammy’s focusing on the future. Thanks to their compassion and diligence, her breast cancer was caught early and her treatment was successful. But, for many women, this isn’t the case. So, Tammy wants every woman to take charge of their health and check their breasts regularly:
“The NHS have a useful guide to this on their website. By regularly checking your breasts, you’ll know what’s normal for you and when something isn’t right. You can then get the care you need!”
Specialist support
Discover more about our specialist approach to supporting those with a learning disability on our dedicated webpage.