Aged 34 and with two young children, I was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer. It came as a huge shock as I was super healthy with no symptoms. To treat the disease and ensure it doesn’t come back in future, I was prescribed medication that I was told to take for the next 10 years. While I was so grateful to get treatment, the drugs meant I went into a chemically-induced menopause overnight. This was devasting. I felt robbed of my youth and femininity – I’d had a double mastectomy, lost my hair and now my periods. 

As a nurse, aesthetics clinic owner (Pure Perfection in North Wales) and business mentor, I was used to supporting women who had lost their confidence, but this experience only fuelled my drive to help more. I have talked openly about my experiences in the press, and now see many patients dealing with cancer and the menopause. As a medical practitioner, I understand disease and disorder, and can break this down for women struggling to understand what’s happening to their body. This is why I’m so proud and excited to be speaking at Pause Live – it will give me the opportunity to share my wisdom, while meeting and supporting many more women going through what I have.