Exercise gave me that sense of normality again

“Exercise gave me that sense of normality again,” says Sarah Hobbs, about returning to football refereeing following a diagnosis with breast cancer and having a double mastectomy.  

“It gave me the feeling that you’ve been through it, but you can still do the things you did before. You can still be that same person.” 

Being active can reduce your risk of breast cancer by 20%. Being active isn’t necessarily about going to the gym for hours at a time. Building activity into your daily life is the key! 

As Sarah finished their physical recovery, they were heading into their 20th season as a football referee. They are also Vice Chair of The Referees’ Association (RA), which is now partnering with Breast Cancer UK. The RA is a membership organisation, founded in 1908; it has around 180 local associations, and helps support referees throughout their development and careers. 

As part of Breast Cancer UK’s partnership with The Referees’ Association, referees will be wearing orange laces for their games throughout October to promote awareness that at least 30% of breast cancer cases can be prevented and to raise vital funds for breast cancer prevention. 

For several years, Sarah got regular surveillance and monitoring after being diagnosed as positive for the BRCA2 gene. In November 2022, they were diagnosed with early-stage DCIS breast cancer.  

“I was very fortunate,” they say, “In just two and a half months, I was diagnosed and then had a double mastectomy, full treatment and given the all-clear. It was a bit of a whirlwind. But I’m through. I’m on the other side.” 

It’s that personal connection from going through breast cancer, and having a family that has experienced it, that drives Sarah’s passion for partnering with Breast Cancer UK and its research into the causes of the disease, along with giving practical advice on how to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer by making simple changes. 

“I want to help convince women and men to have genetic testing or do tests and checks at home,” they add. “I want to do more than just stick a logo on our RA website. The BRCA2 gene came down my father’s side of the family. I’m keen to raise men’s awareness that they need to be checked, too. As well as the importance of regular exercise to stay as healthy as you can be.” 

Sarah opted not to have any reconstructive surgery and says that regular exercise helped strengthen their arm muscles and gradually restored movement in them. 

“Yes, it took time, but exercise is important in recovery – and for mental health,” they say.  ”It helps to be outside or just going for walks as it helps me feel better and clears my head.” 

Exercise, especially football, became a love for Sarah after their physical education teacher introduced them to coaching via the younger girls’ team. They first had to understand the game’s rules and laws and took a referee’s course to get that basic understanding. 

“It spurred my love of playing the game and started my refereeing journey,” they say. “I’ve been fortunate to get to a senior level in the women’s game. I refereed on the Women’s Premier League before it was the Women’s Super League (WSL), even during a couple of TV games when it started getting traction.”  

Sarah is passionate about giving back – after going through the psychological phases of diagnosis, going through treatment, and experiencing the physical side and emotional effects of what happened, they want to raise awareness of the risks posed by having the BRAC2 gene. Part of The RA’s mandate is providing referees with welfare and mentoring, and Sarah shared their story with the association’s women’s development group, emphasising the importance of checks.  

“I wanted to raise awareness through that group,” Sarah explains. “Also, because my dad is positive for the BRCA2 gene, I know that it doesn’t just affect women, so I want all our members to be aware of the risk.” 

In addition to their Vice Chair role at The Referees’ Association, and promoting the partnership with Breast Cancer UK, Sarah has started doing youth football and refocusing on their initial love of football: just being out there and loving the game, always giving back. 

Keep your eyes open for a pair of orange laces as both organisations work to share the prevention message throughout the football community! 

Use the hashtag #OrangeRefs and remember to tag @BreastCancerUK to post your picture of your orange laces this October.  

Additionally, you can play your part and take our Breast Cancer Prevention Quiz and start reducing your risk today. Click here to find out more.

• awareness
• Breast cancer
• breast cancer prevention
• Breast Cancer UK
• cancer
• prevention
• reduce your risk