“I want every young person to recognize when something feels off,” expresses Moira Jordan, who underwent a double mastectomy at the age of 29.
Now 32, Ms. Jordan received a diagnosis of triple positive breast cancer in March 2023 after noticing a thickening on the outer edge of one of her breasts.
The secondary school educator from south-east London participated in the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday to raise awareness and funds for CoppaFeel, the only breast cancer charity in the UK that targets young people.
“I think schools play a crucial role in educating young individuals about what’s normal for their bodies, both physically and mentally, so they can confidently identify any changes,” she stated.
Ms. Jordan’s cancer diagnosis came seven years after learning that she carried the BRCA gene, which significantly increases the likelihood of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
In 2015, her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer due to a BRCA genetic mutation.
Ms. Jordan had intended to have preventive surgery once she turned 30, but “cancer approached her more quickly than anticipated.”
Following her diagnosis, she underwent fertility treatments, completed eight rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy along with reconstruction, and 15 rounds of radiotherapy.
The subsequent year, she faced another 14 rounds of chemotherapy and entered a medical menopause.
“It was undoubtedly the toughest experience of my life,” she reflected.
“I felt extremely low—while most people my age were traveling, creating memories, and starting families, I was enduring this ordeal.”
After nearly two years filled with hospital visits, Ms. Jordan started to regain her physical and mental strength through a physiotherapy program at Guy’s Hospital.
“The team assisted me in restoring my confidence and motivated me to set achievable goals for the upcoming months,” she shared.
“I took up running again, which helped me regain my independence and restored a sense of accomplishment that cancer had momentarily taken from me.”
Ms. Jordan views Sunday’s race as a significant milestone in her journey.
She joined 16,000 others for the Royal Parks Half Marathon.
“One of the most significant achievements of CoppaFeel is ensuring chest-checking education is included in the national curriculum for older students,” she remarked.
“This race signifies a little over two years since my surgery—a time when I never thought I would be able to engage in any rigorous exercise again.
“Having spent so much time in hospitals in recent years left me feeling reliant on others, completely diminishing my independence and self-assurance—this is my opportunity to reclaim everything I lost.”
Becca-Jayne Schofield from CoppaFeel emphasized, “It’s absolutely crucial for young individuals to be aware of breast cancer risks.
“Each year, around 2,400 women under the age of 49 in the UK receive a breast cancer diagnosis, and currently, there is no standard screening program provided by the NHS for young people.
“Therefore, it is essential for them to develop the habit of checking their breasts and feeling empowered to consult a GP if they notice something out of the ordinary.”
