Chester woman runs Manchester 10K after finding breast lump

When Breast Cancer UK’s resources provided much-needed reassurance for Kelly Harvey after she found a breast lump, she was determined show her support by running Manchester 10K MoRun.

“The information was not only helpful but also a source of comfort, presented in a way that wasn’t overwhelming,” says Kelly, reflecting on the Breast Cancer UK brochure she received from the Countess of Chester Hospital, following a breast lump check.

“Around 2018, I found a lump in my breast and went to the hospital to have an examination. The specialists at the Ursula Keyes Breast Unit thought it was a fibroadenoma, which is basically a solid breast lump, and nothing to worry about. So, I more or less forgot about it and went on with my life. Then, during the pandemic, it became inflamed and sore. I went to the hospital again, but it was dismissed. To be fair, it was a hectic time, right in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Facts, not misinformation

She was advised not to Google the condition, which could take her down a ‘rabbit hole of misinformation’. Instead, she was given the Breast Cancer UK brochure.

“I knew I could rely on that information,” she explains. “I found it a great resource of information when I was worried about something. For example, it explained that fibroadenoma is a benign (not cancerous) breast condition, more common in younger women, and that having one doesn’t usually increase the risk of breast cancer. I also shared the brochure with my family, which helped them understand about breast cancer and how to support me.”

Then, in 2023, Kelly noticed the breast lump had grown. Kelly’s partner, Will, convinced her to go and get the lump checked. He took the day off work to go with her.

“It had grown so big that the doctors told me straight away that they wanted to operate to remove the lump. They did a biopsy there and then, but results take two weeks. So, they arranged the surgery in the meantime. It all just became a bit of a rush,” says Kelly. “I was really scared between being told it was still growing, then the biopsy, and then waiting for the results. If Will hadn’t been there at the time, I would have really struggled.”

The biopsy showed the lump was benign, but the experience left Kelly grateful for all the support she had from everyone who didn’t know whether it would or wouldn’t be cancer, and she wanted to give back.

“I want to raise awareness and encourage other women and men to check for lumps.”

“I want to raise awareness and encourage other women and men to check for lumps. And be aware of the importance of early detection of such lumps, even if they test negative. After all, I was reassured twice that there was nothing to worry about. Then, to be told it was something to worry about and that I should have come to have it checked sooner was really frightening. Will went through all that time with me, not knowing whether it was going to be something more serious, and he wanted to be invested, so we decided to raise funds for Breast Cancer UK.”

The team decided on the Manchester 10k MoRun in November 2023. Kelly and Will had previously done park runs but admit the 10K was a challenge.

“It was the most I’d ever run, so Will and I did train for it. And then, the day of the run was awful weather. Call me a fair-weather runner, but I’ve never run in any competition like that. We were all drowned rats by the end of it. It was so funny. But we did raise £937.77 on Just Giving including gift aid, so it was worth it!”

“Having a resource like the Breast Cancer UK website made it easier to check the facts.”

Kelly adds that her grandmother now has lung cancer, and that it could have been easy for family and friends to compare one type of cancer to another, although they’re entirely different.

“That’s where the misinformation starts, isn’t it?” she asks. “My grandma’s so poorly, so hearing that I might have cancer could make it easy to connect the two. But actually, they are miles apart. And the situation I was in is so far removed from where she is. So having a resource like the Breast Cancer UK website and the leaflet made it easier to check the facts and maybe not be so scared.”

Kelly adds that she got excellent surgery aftercare but did get some pain a few months later at the site of the operation. The Countess of Chester Hospital was trialling outpatients’ clinics, so she went to check and was reassured it was only post-operative pain.

Kelly has now signed up for another fundraising 10km run and plans for it to be a regular event. She adds that Breast Cancer UK’s supporting material for the fundraising was great for spreading the word – and helping a colleague.

“They sent me a T-shirt and some flyers that we put in our women’s toilets and around work. Off the back of that awareness, a work colleague’s daughter went and got checked. She was fine, but it’s just reinforcing that it’s important to get the facts. And the Breast Cancer UK material is a perfect place to start for anyone that is concerned.”

To learn more about easy everyday ways to help reduce your risk and be healthier all round, check out our Prevention Hub. 

Do you fancy taking on a challenge to show your support for Breast Cancer UK? Check out our fundraising page here.

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• BCUK
• Breast cancer
• breast cancer prevention
• Breast Cancer UK
• cancer
• Challenge
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• Fundraise
• prevention