Breast cancer survivor says her diagnosis had a purpose

New Forest resident Hannah Gretton never imagined being diagnosed with cancer would give her the opportunity to help others enjoy celebrations that they feared they would never see.  

But mid-treatment, the 48-year-old from Milford-on-Sea was asked to be part of a national awareness and fundraising drive by Cancer Research UK to shine a light on cancer breakthroughs. 

By starring in the charity’s new ‘Together We Are Beating Cancer’ advert, the hotel worker has been demonstrating the power of research and the invaluable impact it can have on people like her. 

Hannah said: “My oncologist called me to ask if I would like to be in the new Cancer Research UK advert and before he’d even finished his sentence, I said ‘yes please’. 

“I was keen to do anything to raise awareness and encourage people to support the research that means I get to celebrate Christmas this year with my loved ones.”  

After Hannah was first told that the lump she’d discovered in her breast was cancerous, she found herself in a dark place mentally.   

“I suffered a cold for a week and just hid myself away,” she said. “On reflection, this was me processing the news and preparing myself mentally.   

“Because I know that one in two of us will get cancer, I was glad that I had taken it away from someone else. 

“I felt like my cancer had to have a purpose and so I cut my long hair off to donate to the Little Princess Trust and also planned to fundraise for Cancer Research UK to help other people.” 

As well as raising £3,000, Hannah was happy for the charity to film her as she attended an appointment with her oncologist. 

The charity’s latest figures show that around 1.2 million deaths have been avoided in the UK since the mid-1980s, due to advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. 

Over the last four decades, UK cancer mortality rates have fallen by around a quarter, after peaking in 1985 for men and 1989 for women. 

Hannah welcomes the figures, saying: “The progress that’s been made means I only had to receive five sessions of radiotherapy instead of 15.  

“I’m also receiving Phesgo - an injection of two types of targeted cancer drugs (trastuzumab and pertuzumab) called monoclonal antibodies.” 

Cancer Research UK spokesperson Elisa Mitchell said: “Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our supporters, together, we are beating cancer.   

“Our research breakthroughs mean every day, people are being diagnosed earlier, have access to kinder and more effective treatments, and some cancers are prevented completely. This all adds up to more moments with the people we love – as our new campaign featuring Hannah shows.     

“By donating, fundraising, taking part in one of our events, or volunteering at our shops, they could fund new discoveries that will help more people reach the life-changing moment when their doctor says: ‘It’s gone.’”