The NHS does brilliant work, but my cancer journey highlighted a gap that desperately needs addressing: the need for emotional and mental health support to go hand in hand with physical treatment. I’ve always been a determined person, and when I was diagnosed with olfactory neuroblastoma – a rare form of cancer in my nasal cavity – in 2023, I told myself I’d face it head-on. But optimism alone doesn’t erase the fact that cancer impacts every part of your life – physically, emotionally and mentally. Whatever your mindset, professional support can make all the difference.
It all began with what seemed like a small problem – a blocked nose that wouldn’t go away. At first, I put it down to lingering after-effects of COVID. Months later, I was snoring for the first time in my life and waking up unable to breathe properly through one nostril. Even then, I nearly cancelled my hospital appointment. I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time.
But that appointment saved my life. Tests revealed I had a 5cm tumour in my nasal cavity. I was stunned. The cancer had already started eroding the base of my skull and pushing into my brain. If left untreated, it could have spread further and become impossible to control.
There was no time to lose. Within weeks, I travelled from Cornwall to Birmingham, where consultant surgeon Shahz Ahmed, a trustee of the Get A-Head charity, performed an incredibly complex surgery to remove the tumour and reconstruct the area between my brain and nose. I’ll forever be grateful to him and the team – their work gave me my life back.
As I braced for the surgery, I remember keeping a brave face for my husband Gary and my daughters, Lowenna and Keizha. Inside, though, I worried about every possible what-if.
What if I didn’t wake up fully myself? What if the surgery went wrong? What if I didn’t make it at all?
Even when you’re determined to stay positive, cancer is a rollercoaster of emotions. I approached the treatment, which included six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with as much courage as I could. I told myself: “This is just something we’ve got to get through.” And we did – but not without moments of deep struggle.
The most difficult moments weren’t always physical. For me, one of the hardest days was being fitted with the mask for radiotherapy. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed and breaking down in tears. It was terrifying because it made everything feel very real. As strong as I was, mentally, I hit a wall.
While my medical team was amazing, they mainly focused on tackling the physical side of my cancer – the tumour, the scans, the treatment plans – rather than any emotional symptoms which I might have had.
Don’t get me wrong, they were incredibly caring and looked after me so well, signposting me to support services and handing me various information booklets.
But still, I think it’s fair to say the mental toll of my diagnosis and treatment was something I had to manage mostly on my own with my family.
Being asked directly more often about my mental wellbeing and having the chance to talk more openly during treatment would have made such a difference – and I know I’m not alone in feeling this way.
I feel fortunate to have been treated by Shahz Ahmed, whose surgical expertise saved my life. Through his work as a trustee of Get A-Head, a charity supporting people affected by head and neck cancers, I’ve also seen how organisations like this make a real difference.
But Get A-Head is not alone – there are countless charities across the UK dedicated to cancer patients’ wellbeing, from raising awareness to offering practical and emotional support.
What’s missing is a more joined-up approach. Introducing dedicated holistic assessments across the NHS could ensure that every cancer patient has access to the right support at the right time, creating a smoother, more compassionate journey for everyone.
Today, I’m slowly rebuilding my life. I’ve started to return to work, where I’m taking things one step at a time, and I’ve been enjoying holidays with my family. But there are still moments – especially when I reflect on my experience – that remind me of how much emotional support matters.
While I’m proud of how I stayed strong throughout my cancer journey, I had the benefit of a supportive family. Many others aren’t as fortunate, and no one should have to face these challenges without professional help.
The Daily Express campaign is critical because it shines a light on the gaps in cancer care. For too long, emotional and mental health has been treated as secondary to physical recovery. Yet for patients, these elements are deeply connected, and addressing one without the other is only half the picture.
Holistic needs assessments which reflect the person behind the diagnosis should be a standard part of care for everyone. Surviving cancer isn’t just about beating the illness – it’s about ensuring patients have the tools to heal, inside and out.
With World Head and Neck Cancer Day just around the corner (July 27) there’s no better time to add your voice to the Daily Express’s campaign by signing the petition above.