Mum-of-four Charli Spoerer was shocked to find a lump the ‘size of a Malteser’ growing behind her nipple
Birmingham cancer survivor Charli Spoerer is taking part in Cancer Research UK’s 10k Shine Night Walk on Friday, September 5(Image: Cancer Research)
A Birmingham mum says she’s lucky to be alive after a routine health appointment led to a a shock breast cancer diagnosis.
Mum-of-four Charli Spoerer mentioned a ‘slight puckering’ on her skin around her breast during an annual hormone check – which she had dismissed as nothing serious.
But, following an urgent referral, Charli was shocked to find out she had a lump the size of a Malteser growing behind her right nipple, surrounded by a 5cm layer of pre-cancerous cells.
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“I just thought the changes were hormonal,” said the Erdington teaching assistant.
“It never occurred to me it was anything serious. God knows how long I might have waited for it to spread before making a doctor’s appointment – so I feel very lucky.”
She was initially told last September she would need surgery to remove the lump followed by radiotherapy.
But tests results after surgery in October meant she had a tough decision to make.
“After my lumpectomy they told me it hadn’t spread to my lymph nodes,” she said.
“But they’d discovered the tumour was surrounded by 5cm of pre-cancerous cells. The tumour was 1.9cm so I imagined it like a Malteser sitting inside a tennis ball.
“I had two options, either they could remove the pre-cancerous cells, or give me a mastectomy.
“Although the outer cells weren’t cancerous, they told me there was a high chance they could become cancer, so it felt like a no brainer to have the whole breast removed.
“The way I looked at it, my breasts had served their purpose.”
Charli had the mastectomy in January and is now cancer free.
To celebrate, she will be attending Birmingham ’s Shine Night Walk in aid of Cancer Research UK on September 5.
She will be taking part in the walk with her partner Ian, friends and her four children, aged 16, 18, 19 and 22.
Charli is encouraging anyone who can to join to head along and light up city landmarks in an inspirational 10k procession of light.
Starting in Centenary Square at 7:20pm, she will join hundreds of participants winding their way through Birmingham in a neon-glowing parade of light.
To enter or volunteer visit shinewalk.org
She added: “I don’t think I know anyone who isn’t affected by cancer but advances in research and better treatments mean so many more people like me are still here to enjoy precious time with loved ones.
“It doesn’t matter if people power walk or pace themselves – it’s about raising money for research that could bring hope to thousands of people like me.
“That’s why I’m asking people to sign up and help shine a light for everyone affected by this devastating disease.”