A Redditch mum is set to take on Race for Life after becoming the third generation to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Michelle Bowen, aged 49, said she and her mum are lucky to be alive thanks to drugs that weren't available when her grandmother died of breast cancer aged just 63.
Ms Bowen was diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer in May 2022 after finding a lump but has admitted she almost didn't visit the GP as two earlier lumps turned out to be nothing.
Despite ongoing treatment, Ms Bowen, who works as a controller for West Mercia Police, completed Race for Life in 2023 with her son Thomas whilst her mum Brenda cheered her on.
She has now signed up to take part in Race for Life at Arrow Valley Park on Sunday, June 9 with the challenge set to be especially tough as Ms Bowen is still receiving targeted cancer treatment alongside therapy for arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Ms Bowen said: "Cancer has been so prominent in my family. I was just 17 when my nan died of breast cancer. She was diagnosed aged 60 and passed away three years later.
"If it wasn’t for research and developments since then, my mum and I might not be here.
"I supported my mum through breast cancer 14 years earlier when I was pregnant, but I still didn’t think something like this would happen to me.
"I felt like my whole world had fallen from under me. The hardest part was telling my son who was 13 at the time."
Ms Bowen was diagnosed in May 2022 (Image: Cancer Research UK)
Cancer Research UK helped develop four out of the five drugs Ms Bowen has been given since her diagnosis.
After experiencing various side effects during nearly two years of treatment, she says she would like to see kinder and more effective treatments for all types of cancer.
Ms Bowen finished her chemotherapy in December 2022 and had a short break from treatment before starting 15 sessions of radiotherapy.
She’s now on a targeted cancer drug called abemaciclib that blocks proteins that stimulate cancer cells to grow.
She said: "Race for Life is the biggest thing I’ve achieved since being diagnosed.
"I raised £500 and wept tears of joy after completing the race. Breast cancer made me think, about how I can make the most of my life and I realised cancer does not have to shape your future."
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events.
It raises millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
Paula Young, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the Midlands, said: "We are incredibly grateful to Michelle for her support and know her story will make an impact on everyone who hears it.
"No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly, nearly one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime. Race for Life has the power not only to transform lives but to save them. We’re proud that Race for Life has already helped double survival rates in the UK.
"Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one, or just in it for the fun of fundraising, it doesn’t matter how or why you take part. Whether running, jogging or walking there is a place for everyone."
Ms Bowen is still receiving targeted cancer treatment (Image: Cancer Research UK)
Andy Curran, Chief Executive of Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, said: "We are incredibly proud to continue as headline sponsor for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life with the opportunity to encourage participation across the country.
"By working to raise funds for life-saving research, we can move towards a future where people live longer and healthier lives, free of cancer."
To enter visit www.raceforlife.org
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