Each year in the UK, approximately 55,000 women receive the devastating news they have breast cancer. At Voyage DCA Leicestershire, Tammy, a person we support, was one of those women.
In early 2024 she developed a persistent cough. Concerned, her support team encouraged her to make an appointment with her doctor. During an examination of Tammy’s chest, the doctor noticed she had some swelling in the lymph glands above her collar bone.
Indicating something could be wrong, Tammy’s doctor ordered a blood test and asked her to check her breasts. To Tammy’s surprise, she found a lump on the side of her right breast.
Shortly after, she received her diagnosis. Tammy had breast cancer, and it had already spread. Frightened and faced with uncertainty, Tammy knew this was the start of an unexpected journey with breast cancer.
Dedicated to her wellbeing, Tammy’s support team rallied round her. They worked together to ensure she had the additional support she would need.
With them by her side every step of the way, Tammy bravely faced cancer. With person-centred support and the help of her compassionate support team, Tammy was empowered throughout her journey. Now, Tammy’s cancer free and continuing to live a happy, healthy with our team at DCA Leicestershire.
Get to know Tammy
Tammy joined us when she was in her mid-30s. She transferred from another care provider and was living very independently but needed support in some areas of daily life. Moving into one of our supported living flats, she received one-to-one support for time keeping, managing appointments, personal care, taking medication, living a healthy lifestyle, and completing tasks around the home.
Our team used person-centred support and got to know Tammy as an individual. Tailoring their support to her personality and preferences, they understood how important her independence was to her.
At her previous placement, Tammy didn’t feel like she could be herself. But at DCA Leicestershire, our team ensured she was treated like a member of their family, empowering her to let her cheeky personality shine!
Tammy loves to have fun with her team and finds value in filling her days with smiles and laughter. With her support team at DCA Leicestershire, Tammy’s fun-loving personality is nurtured and her team love spending time with her doing exciting activities.
Putting Tammy’s unique character at the centre of their support, they transform everyday tasks, like cleaning her flat, into fun, creative activities. With this approach, Tammy feels like part of an extended family. When they access the community together, she feels like she’s out with friends, rather than a support team.
Tammy’s needs mean she benefits from having a routine. When she moved in with us, our team introduced a structure to her week. With their support, Tammy established days to do household tasks, grocery shopping, and embrace her favourite activities. Over the years, her schedule has been adjusted to suit her needs, ambitions, and changes in her life – which is what happened early 2024.
Unexpected diagnosis
When Tammy was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2024, her team were shocked and knew this was the start of an unexpected journey for Tammy. They were with her at all her appointments before her diagnosis. Tammy had many scans and tests at the hospital, including an ultrasound, and a biopsy.
Soon, Tammy’s results were in. With her Key Support Worker by her side, she heard the news that she had breast cancer, and it had spread to some of her lymph glands.
Together, they navigated the early days of uncertainty, which were very emotional for Tammy. She was upset and scared but her support team comforted her and gave her a safe space to embrace her emotions. Knowing they were there whenever she needed to talk, Tammy soon started to gain confidence about the journey ahead of her.
Before she started any treatment, Tammy had a mastectomy where her right breast was removed. She also had the affected lymph glands removed. Her team at the hospital successfully removed her cancer but this was only the beginning of her journey. Tammy had a long road to recovery ahead of her.
When Tammy received her diagnosis, she was upset and scared. We comforted her and gave her a safe space to embrace her emotions. Knowing we were there whenever she needed to talk, Tammy soon started to gain confidence about the journey ahead of her.
Anna Griffin, Field Support Supervisor
Tammy’s treatment journey
When Tammy first received her diagnosis, she was scared about her future. Understanding she needed treatment to get better, she had no idea what this would involve.
To begin with, Tammy had lots more appointments. Because she needed support to manage appointments, our team helped her manage her busy appointment schedule. They also worked together to ensure her treatment was their priority as a team. They came into work early to go to the hospital with her and coordinated their shifts. Even though she was independent, Tammy never faced anything alone.
This lifted her spirits and ensured she felt confident during her medical appointments and procedures.
Even though her cancer had been removed during her mastectomy, she needed courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to stop it returning. After Tammy had some time to heal from her operation, she had six rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a course of radiotherapy.
Empowered with knowledge
Tammy’s treatment lasted around ten months in total. Between her appointments, she kept herself informed about each process she went through. With the support of her team, she found internet resources and YouTube videos about breast cancer. She learned what was happening in her body, what to expect during treatment, and stories from other women who navigated cancer too. This supported Tammy’s emotional wellbeing and helped her regain some control over what was happening to her.
Armed with this knowledge, Tammy understood everything the doctors told her during her appointments. Her team were always present though, just in case Tammy needed anything explaining.
Along with the hospital staff, they ensured Tammy 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.
Throughout her treatment, Tammy felt supported by her hospital team. They gave her lots of leaflets and information and assigned a dedicated breast cancer nurse who she could contact and ask questions. At DCA Leicestershire, she always had her Key Worker to talk to as well. With friendly faces supporting her round-the-clock, Tammy was empowered with confidence and took her treatment in her stride!
Road to recovery
Many people with a learning disability and additional needs feel nervous going to appointments and hospitals. Tammy understood they were important to keep her healthy. If she ever felt scared or unsure during an appointment, her support team were by her side to comfort her.
While having chemotherapy, Tammy developed blood clots and had to be admitted to hospital.
Our support team worried about how long she’d be in hospital and how this might impact her. Wanting what’s best for Tammy, they focused on her health and happiness, ensuring a member of the team was with her at the hospital every day.
For Tammy, the support she received from both her support team and hospital staff gave her the strength and courage to navigate her breast cancer journey. Her team ensured they kept home life as normal as possible. They continued with as many activities as they could, including going to bingo every Saturday night.
Tammy did experience some side-effects and symptoms from her chemotherapy…. but she didn’t let this get her down. A source of inspiration to everyone around her, she carried on with her daily routine without much disruption!
So, when she had her last course of treatment in February 2025, her team beamed with pride as she walked out 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!
Tammy finished her treatment in February 2025. We beamed with pride as she walked out 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!
Anna Griffin, Field Support Supervisor
Managing Tammy’s health
Now Tammy’s finished her treatment, she’s introducing some long-term changes to stay as healthy as possible! She now uses a parasol and wears strong sun protection every day to protect her skin from the sun and reduce her risk of developing skin cancer.
Getting into the swing of these changes, Tammy’s quickly taken ownership of them. At first, she needed prompts from her support team to apply her sunscreen. Now, she’s applying it by herself and even carries it around in her handbag, so she can top it up on the go!
Since having her mastectomy, Tammy wears a prosthetic breast. Her team support her to keep it clean, fit it into her bra, and remind her to remove it before she goes to bed.
With the dedication of her support team, Tammy’s life has remained as fulfilling as possible. She’s bravely taken on all these changes with grace. She’s even added in some extra health-boosting tools, like eating healthier and keeping her flat extra clean.
With her health managed and her best interests supported by our team at DCA Leicestershire, Tammy’s now focusing on her future.
Beyond breast cancer
Last year, Tammy had to cancel some holidays after receiving her diagnosis. But she’ll be reorganising these and taking a well-deserved trip away. Tammy particularly likes going on ‘mystery coach trips’, where she doesn’t know the destination until she arrives there! She finds the process exciting and loves seeing where she ends up and discovering new places of interest.
Our team are supporting her to get active again. Tammy felt low when she had her cancer diagnosis and didn’t know what the future held for her. She feels like she’s been given a second chance at life and wants to make the most of it by doing the things she loves.
For Tammy, the future looks bright. 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!”