Hide dark circles and cover blemishes with the best concealer, designed to combat all manner of imperfections
Whether you need to disguise pesky dark under-eye circles or hide the mother of all blemishes, the best concealer is an absolute must for your make-up bag.
Rest assured that there’s one out there to mimic eight hours’ of sleep, cover up breakouts or disguise redness, whatever your budget. So, what do you need to look for to ensure you get your perfect makeup match?
‘Not all concealers are made equal and not all of them will do everything,’ MAC Senior Artist and Glow Up judge Dominic Skinner explains. ‘Concealer is like a pair of shoes; you need different ones for different occasions. When choosing one, you need to ask yourself “what is it for?” and “where is it going?”. This will help you find your way through the forest of options.
‘For under-eyes you need something that will set, like the MAC ProLongwear Concealer. This means it won’t sit in the fine lines and won’t start lifting your mascara. Which is what causes panda eyes at the end of the night. You might also need a shade that’s more pink or coral than your skin tone as this will help to banish those dark circles.’ Of course, the best eye cream will also help to treat dark circles and bags.
Something to note is that dark circles under the eyes are often hereditary, so you’re not going to get rid of them completely. However, Zoë Taylor, Chanel Make-up Artist, suggests facial massage before applying your concealer. ‘Lazy lymphatic drainage can really emphasise the problem, she explains. ‘Facial exercises are a huge part of any skincare routine, but don’t underestimate how much this can help with lymphatic drainage.’
She also says that: ‘Using one under the eyes is all about the light layering of products.’ She recommends colour correcting, then applying your foundation, before topping with your concealer. And blend each one into the skin with a very soft, fluffy brush.
And her final tip? Highlighter. ‘Applied with the tip of my finger and patted into the outer corners of my under eye, this is a great distraction from any of the fine lines in this area too.’
Concealer for acne
‘To conceal blemishes you need to go for one that has a more creamy texture,’ Dominic continues. ‘This will prevent the dry skin from around the blemish to crack and peel during the day. It’s best to go for one that is closest to your skin tone and I find that applying with fingers in a tapping motion works the best to camouflage the blemish completely.
‘For skin pigmentation and uneven skin tone, I recommend a liquid one as you can build up the coverage to a flawless finish. Plus, you can mix it into your regular liquid foundation to give it that extra red carpet finish. MAC’s Studio Fix 24 Hour Smoothwear Concealer is amazing, and a fashion week and award season staple in my kit.’ Pair it with a great hyperpigmentation treatment for maximum results.
Best concealer brush
Although some people prefer to use the ‘wand’ or tip of their concealer, a brush is recommended in order to ensure that you make the most of the product and get a nice, even finish with equal coverage. Size-wise, we suggest something like Bobbi Brown’s Brush, or the classic MAC 195 Brush. Alternatively, pat it into the under eye area with your ring finger – it’ll fit perfectly into the inner corner of your eye socket and under the lash line.
Colour correctors
Colour correctors work incredibly well alongside you concealer. As the name suggests they colour correct. So for example, if you have blue/purple shading under your eyes, it’s useful to use a peachy, orange colour corrector before your concealer.
If you have a seriously angry, red blemish, a green-tone colour corrector will take down some of the inflamed pinkish tone before you cover up.
Marie Claire's edit of the best things to buy, browse and book
Allow us to introduce: hot list. Whether it’s some much-needed pampering, a quick interiors update, a cool event to book tickets for or a wardrobe refresh, here’s Marie Claire’s edit of the best ways to indulge.
Here at Marie Claire HQ we’re constantly seeking out secret sales, new brands, fun events, exclusive beauty treatments and cool coffee table books. We also love updating our home with a cool new piece of pottery, art or a delicious new candle.
We’ve rounded-up all the coolest things to do, see and buy this week. There are new store openings, new fashion brands, A-list collaborations, grooming updates and generally gorgeous and useful things to know so that your downtime is as stylish as you are.
This week we’re loving:
This is your ultimate shopping list, so check in with us every week so you can hit the shops fully informed on what’s new and cool each week. Click through to see our favourite picks…
This World Menopause Awareness Month, read our complete expert guide, inc. the main symptoms and best treatments, too.
The menopause is something you can’t ignore. It’s unavoidable. It’s inevitable. And it can be daunting.
Luckily, there’s a wealth of information out there. From frank (and frankly necessary) discussions on what is perimenopause?, to game-changing new insights into female hormones and early menopause, the M word is slowly losing its stigma. But that doesn’t mean that we’re fully there yet – and many would argue that we still have a long way to go in order to smash the taboo around the common – it affects half the population – yet not so commonly discussed topic.
We caught up with three women who are trying to encourage greater conversation around the change, so that those going through it don’t feel so isolated and alone. Sara Matthews is a consultant gynaecologist, Dr Jan Toledano specialises in women’s hormones at the London Hormone Clinic, and Jackie McCusker is a registered Nutritional Therapist.
Drawing on expert insight and their own lived experience, this World Menopause Month, they share everything you need to know about the menopause – from hot flushes to HRT.
What is the menopause?
“It is the age at which a woman has her last period,” explains Sara Matthews. “Which for UK women is around 51. At which point there are no functioning eggs left in her ovaries.”
So technically, when a woman has been without a period for twelve months, it can be referred to as the menopause. But not before that point. “In the Western world one year after your last period is when we’re officially diagnosed as going through the menopause, but up until that point we’re in the peri-menopause and that’s the stage when our oestrogen and progesterone levels are beginning to drop,” adds Jackie McCusker, who experienced early menopause symptoms in her 30s.
This is the point at which women start to experience symptoms, like hot flushes (more on that below). Matthews goes on, “the perimenopause can pre-date the menopause by up to 10 years when periods are still regular and hormone levels are normal. The ability to conceive was also lost approximately two years prior to the last period.”
What are some of the tell-tale menopause symptoms?
You start to experience symptoms in the perimenopausal stage, which as mentioned above can occur at different times for each individual and it’s all down to the changes in your hormones. “Progesterone will have already been depleted over the previous decade, so many women will have already gone through heavier periods and worse PMS symptoms,” explains Dr Jan Toledano.
“Then the ovaries stop producing oestrogen – the hormone that controls many functions of a woman’s body – and that’s when women experience things like hot flushes, low mood, vaginal dryness, poor memory and headaches. On top of that, testosterone also declines, which causes poor energy, lower libido and less muscle strength and lower confidence.”
There are a whole host of symptoms that occur when you’re at this point, some more common than others. According to Matthews, around 88% of women in the perimenopausal stage will experience hot flushes.
“We have completely individual biochemistries,” explains McCusker. “So, one person’s menopause isn’t going to be the same as another person’s menopause. It’s genetics, diet, the amount of stress we’ve had in our lives, cultural differences, etc.”
Dr Toledano agrees, saying, “All women experience the change in hormones differently. Some are debilitated and feel unable to function properly, while others barely notice this change at all.”
“There is an idea that women must carry on through menopause with little complaining,” says Dr Taledano. “These changes however can be devastating and often happen at a time of life when there are other changes too, such as children growing up and leaving home. It’s important to know that all the symptoms are preventable and physical changes reversible.”
Should you see a doctor to confirm you are going through the menopause?
Matthews recommends that you do. “It is always useful to consult your GP about any symptoms that could relate to the menopause, no matter what age you are. A blood test to check your hormones will indicate whether you are 1-2 years from your last period, but you can still have symptoms long before that. If your hormones levels are fine and your periods regular, and your GP has ruled out other causes for your symptoms, then it would be useful at that stage to see a menopause specialist,” she says.
How long does the menopause last?
This is not a straight-forward question to answer, because the menopause is defined by the day 12 months after your last period. However, the length of time a woman experiences the perimenopause, or symptoms of the menopause will vary considerably. Unfortunately, there is nothing set in stone. “There is no test that can indicate how long,” says Matthews. “Women can start symptoms up to 10 years before the periods stop, but recent research suggests that symptoms after the last period last an average time of 7.4 years.”
What’s the best menopause treatment?
“All perimenopausal symptoms will improve with hormone replacement therapy (HRT),” says Matthews. “About 10 years ago, HRT received bad press after a study suggested it significantly increased the risk of blood clots and breast cancer. The findings have now been refuted and safer HRT regimes have been developed.”
Dr Toledo agrees with HRT as a treatment, adding, “Topping up the hormones that are low is the best option. The fear instilled by those studies and subsequent press frenzy still causes confusion for women. There are no increased risk of disease, and in fact there’s a lower risk of many diseases with certain HRT.”
Ideally you would get a top-up of both oestrogen and progesterone, as they balance each other out. By replacing oestrogen you are protected against heart disease, strokes, high cholesterol, diabetes and osteoporosis. It also helps to relieve hot flushes. There’s also the option of vaginal oestrogen, which prevents and treats vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms. Matthews recommends it to all of her patients from the menopause onwards, apart from breast cancer patients. Replacing progesterone can stop skin being and feeling as dry and helps with cognition and sleep.
Changes to your lifestyle can also help you manage your symptoms. “A heathy diet and exercise, good sleep and doing things that make you happy all have a positive impact,” says Matthews. “Moderating alcohol intake, stopping smoking, taking control of your health will bring massive benefits. Cognitive behaviour therapy can help along with meditation.” Dr Toledano couldn’t agree more: “Make healthy lifestyle choices, like a better diet, more exercise (especially weight bearing exercise to keep your bones healthy), stop smoking, lose excess weight and cut down on alcohol. Meditation or cognitive behaviour therapy can also be really useful.”
Is there a recommended menopause diet?
As a nutritional therapist, McCusker works closely with women to help them rethink their diets to help with the symptoms. “The female Asian population tend to have a better experience of menopause than us in the western world, and one of the main things is their diet. They have had a very nutritiously dense diet of whole foods, legumes, and traditional fermented soy, which contain phyto-oestrogens. These are natural plant oestrogens and can emit a mildly oestrogenic effect, when when our oestrogen levels are dropping severely during the perimenopause.
So have a look at your diet, look at the composition of your plate and make vegetables your hero. 50% of your plate should be vegetables. There should be good quality fat, no low fat anything and good quality protein. Things like legumes are really great, tofu, and fermented soy products. Eggs and dairy are great sources of calcium and protein.”
The things to avoid are environmental oestrogens, a.k.a zeno-oestrogens or endocrine disrupting chemicals. These disrupt your internal hormone system. These come from things like plastic bottles, plastic wrapping and parabens in skincare. McCusker recommends buying organic where possible, “Any live stock or animals products, like eggs, because they’re being pumped full of zeno-oestrogen hormones. It’s about making small steps to lower your toxic load. For example, you could change your washing liquids to more natural ones.”
The bottom line: what else should I know about menopause?
“Do not blame yourself for how you feel,” says Dr Toledano. “Get help from your doctor to give you the hormones you need to top up what you are not making and do not use oestrogen if you still have periods (unless this is supervised by a gynaecologist), only use progesterone at this stage.
“Be aware of the symptoms that can arise, seek medical help from your GP and if necessary, a menopause specialist,” Matthews adds. “Don’t suffer in silence! Take a little time out to think about what is happening and how you can adapt your lifestyle to help. Little practical things like layering clothes and having a fan and some water in your handbag, cotton sheets and a cool bedroom can make all the difference.”
“Find a bit of joy everyday,” recommends McCusker. “Although life can be really crap and terrible, find time to laugh, find something that makes your heart sing, that lifts you a little bit. Even in the darkest moments.”
Thankfully, we live in a world where there are brands that aim to help women during this tough time. Scroll down, for the products that might make your menopausal journey a little bit easier…
This October, alongside the International Menopause Society and World Health Organisation, we're calling for more open conversation and action when it comes to the menopause.
Tracey* had worked hard as a social worker for over eighteen years. Her record was unblemished – she’d had only a handful of sick days and had always been an exemplary employee.
But then, as she turned 50, her menopause symptoms hit.
Besides from the hot flushes and brain fog, she was crippled with paralysing anxiety, heart palpitations that lasted for hours and debilitating fatigue, too. On one occasion, she collapsed at work as a result of her symptoms and came too on the floor with her head bleeding.
Rather than offering her the support she clearly needed, Tracey’s bosses fired her. “There was no sympathy or understanding,” she explains.
Menopause and job loss:
Sadly, Tracey is far from alone, and the number of women being unfairly dismissed because of their menopausal symptoms seems to be on the rise.
This month marks World Menopause Awareness month, an entire month nominated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Menopause Society to address the stigma and prejudice many menopausal women still face.
It’s simply not good enough, and more must be done to ensure women, menopausal or not, aren’t discriminated upon because of a perfectly natural health phenomena all women experience. According to data from the HM Courts and Tribunals, the number of employment tribunals involving menopause has quadrupled in the last three years.
Since February 2017, there have been 43 employment tribunals involving menopause, with almost a quarter of those coming in the first six months of this year.
So are women being unfairly and disproportionately affected in later life as a result of their menopause symptoms? And is it impacting their career paths?
Short answer: yes.
Why is the number of menopause tribunals on the rise?
What do you reckon happens when said symptoms – most notably hot flushes, low mood, night sweats and brain fog – affect your day-to-day life so much you can’t work? And why are the numbers of tribunals involving menopause on the rise?
According to Dee Murray, CEO and founder of Menopause Experts Group, it’s because women are being actively encouraged to speak their minds and empowered to voice their concerns.
“There has been a dramatic increase in awareness of women’s issues in recent years since the #MeToo campaign,” she explains. “Celebrities like Ulrika Jonsson, Andrea McLean and Davina McCall have come forward to talk candidly about their experience of menopause, and women want and expect more from life.”
What is the current UK law around menopause and job dismissal?
In short, any form of discrimination falls under the Equality Act of 2010. “This makes it illegal to discriminate against people based on their sex or disability,” explains Murray.
Sadly, she points out that despite the law, many workplaces policies are lagging behind when it comes to menopause. “Current campaigners are calling for women with menopausal symptoms to get similar protection to pregnant women,” she continues.
Does this put women at a disadvantage to men?
The symptoms of menopause themselves put women at a huge disadvantage to men, reckons Murray.
“For many women, they can be debilitating,” she explains. “In most workplaces, ignorance of both the menopause and perimenopause symptoms means there is little sympathy or empathy for what women are going through, making work challenging.”
My menopause symptoms are affecting my ability to work. What do I do?
1. Don’t be scared
Firstly, Murray wants you to hear this: don’t be frightened. “Our bodies are incredible, and if you give them all they need, you’re winning half of the battle already.”
These won’t get rid of your menopause symptoms, but they can sure help with making sure what you experience isn’t as severe.
2. Read up
Educating yourself about your own biology is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself, shares Murray, as if you’re clued up and waiting for something to happen, it doesn’t come as such a surprise. “By-and-large, it comes down to knowledge and being well-equipped for what’s coming,” she shares.
FYI, she further highlights that often, women find the emotional or psychological symptoms of menopause the most challenging. Arming yourself with the relevant stats and information may help ease this stress.
3. Be prepared
As with anything in life, preparation is key. “We all go through the menopause – there is no escaping it, so it’s important to learn more about it and your body,” Murray shares.
‘I was fired because of my menopause symptoms: sadly, it’s more common than you think.’
Tracey* was a social worker for more than 18 years and had an unblemished record before menopausal symptoms hit her hard. Read her story here.
“In 2018, I was fired from my job as a social worker. I was suffering perimenopausal symptoms that were disabling, but my bosses decided that wasn’t a good enough excuse.”
“I had informed my manager the year before that I was struggling. No one told me that the menopause wasn’t just hot flushes and brain fog. I was suffering paralysing anxiety. I ached, had palpitations that lasted hours and felt enormous fatigue.”
“I couldn’t eat. I lost two stone in weight. When I went to the doctor, they prescribed antidepressants, which made things worse. I even saw a heart specialist – but no one mentioned the menopause.”
“My boss said to take the time I needed, but soon after, put me on a performance improvement plan. It was another set of hoops for me to jump through. There was no sympathy and no understanding.”
“I told my boss on numerous occasions that I wasn’t coping and that disciplinary procedures were making my symptoms worse. My manager knew of my vulnerability and, in my opinion, used it to his advantage. My employers did know about the menopause but chose to ignore it, placing me under more pressure, which exacerbated my symptoms.”
“It had been going on for about a year before I realised, through doing my own research, that this was the menopause. It was such a relief: I had thought I was going mad.”
“During that time, I kept having these disciplinary meetings at work and during one of these meetings, completely out of the blue, they announced I was fired.”
“I was in total shock. I felt like a criminal. I walked straight out of the meeting and went to bed. I couldn’t get up for weeks.”
“Then I began to get angry. I just felt it was so unjust, how I’d been treated. I was being punished for having problems around a woman’s transition. I also thought there were lots of implications for other women going through the same thing.”
“I decided to take them to a tribunal. I paid £12,000 for a barrister but I didn’t stand a chance. The tribunal judge, a man in his 60s, completely dismissed all mention of the menopause. He didn’t understand the menopause, and it was inappropriate for him to decide over a medical matter as he is not a doctor.”
“My bosses didn’t turn up to the hearing and so their claims couldn’t be challenged. The judge just saw that I was behind in my work and backed my bosses, corroborating their behaviour. Now they have carte blanche to carry on the same way with other women in the same position. I’m left feeling like I’ve been punished twice.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do now. I’m on yet another version of HRT – my fifth type – and it’s finally working well. If I’d felt this well while I was employed, I’d never have let them get away with what they did.”
“There needs to be more understanding and a more inclusive approach towards women in the workplace.”
Pandora is relaunching its Pandora ME collection with a little help from Gen Z’s favourite icons, including TikTok star and actress Addison Rae, singer Charli XCX, Donte Colley, Beabadoobee and Cecilia Cantarano.
Inspired by the world of music and online culture, the campaign features an exclusive track, SWEAT, from artist Charli XCX, which celebrates individuality, reflecting each talent’s signature style.
For Addison, that’s her transformative and DIY style, reflecting her power to defy conventions. So it makes sense that personalisation is at the heart of the new collection, allowing the wearer to create a unique style through endless combinations.
From chunky link chain bracelets and necklaces, mono hoop earrings and stackable rings to word links and mini dangles full of symbolism, the Pandora ME range is hand finished, with pieces that include mix and match metals in sterling silver, 14k rose-gold and rutheniumplated unique metal blends, freshwater cultured pearls and vibrant enamels.
Here, Addison opens up about her cool new gig.
What inspired you to partner with Pandora for the relaunch of the Pandora ME collection?
As soon as I heard about the concept of Pandora ME I was all over it. It’s all about inspiring individuality and empowering everyone to express who they are, but still as part of a community connected by values and interests. Pandora has chosen music to inspire this connected individuality, which I think is super cool. And seeing that music is such a huge part of my life and my song ‘Obsessed’ is about self-love, it felt like such a natural fit to work on this.
What is your favourite piece from the collection?
There are so many options it’s hard to pick one! That’s what’s so awesome about this collection – limitless styling options to get inspired and represent our many sides, which I think is important to people of my age. But I do love the Pandora ME necklace because it’s so versatile and I can style it up depending how I feel that day. In the campaign you can see how I mixed it up and wrapped it around my wrist for a layered look.
What’s your advice for the younger generation and how they can make a difference to the world they live in?
I would say that they need to stay true to themselves and find a close circle of friends, family, and mentors who keep them grounded and push them to achieve great things!
Other than music and dancing, how else do you express who you are?
Music and dancing are my passions, but I love to express myself online, through acting, deep discussions on my podcast, and experimenting with my creativity through my company ITEM BEAUTY. I always try to concentrate on enjoying what I’m doing regardless of what that is. Staying true to my own views, style and personality is paramount for me.
How do you describe your style?
My style is pretty varied because it’s usually based on how I want to feel that day. Since moving to LA, I’m out a lot more so a lot of the pieces in my wardrobe can be easily mixed and matched. Right now, I love 2000’s style and I’m obsessed with cute accessories to customise outfits. I think you can definitely go all out with jewellery, bags and shoes. Whether it’s running about town, heading to Pilates or to a party – it’s fun to be unexpected and keep everyone guessing.
The Duchess of Sussex has impeccable taste in jewellery, and the new diamond ring she debuted during her recent business trip to New York was no exception.
She’s always been clever with her choices, opting for meaningful pieces such as the constellation necklace she sported a few months ago, and of course her engagement ring which features an ethical diamond as well as stones belonging to Princess Diana – though credit to Prince Harry on that one.
Meghan has also never been afraid to switch things up a bit, and she famously changed her engagement ring not long after Archie’s birth, swapping the gold band for a diamond one.
Well it’s now rumoured Meghan might be making another tweak to the eternity ring Prince Harry gave her. The diamond band already features three birthstones on the underband, one for Harry (Sapphire for September), Archie (Emerald for May) and herself (Peridot for August).
Of course, the couple have since then welcomed daughter Lilibet into the fold, who was born in June. Pearl is the traditional birthstone for that month, so it would make sense for the Duchess to add it to her eternity ring to make it even more special.
In fact, it could well be the reason she wore a different band in New York, with this one perhaps being worked on at the jeweller’s.
Charlotte Tilbury recently announced that Phoebe Dynevor is to be the brand’s first ever make-up ambassador.
And to kick off her new role, the Bridgerton star is the face of Tilbury’s festive holiday campaign.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Charlotte Tilbury as a Brand Ambassador,” Dynevor said. “Charlotte is a legendary makeup artist and I’ve so admired her range for years.”
The actress made quite the splash as the lead, Daphne Bridgerton, in Netflix’s incredibly sexy Bridgerton. She is an ambassador for Action Aid UK and uses her new new found fame to advocate for planet-friendly, sustainable causes. And now she can add beauty face to her CV.
Dynevor has been shot wearing the brand’s iconic Pillow Talk collection, which is being used to promote Pillow Talk Dreams Come True collection’s edition make-up box.
Dubbed ‘Charlotte’s Beauty Gifting Universe’ the Christmas collection is always a favourite of ours ahead of December. If you’re feeling super duper organised this year, you can get your hands on the collection now on charlottetilbury.com.
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Facial Duo, £89 | Charlotte Tilbury
Yes, Charlotte Tilbury’s make-up is stand-out. But have you tried the skincare? This latest innovation is genius. Inspired by cryotherapy, this mask and eye serum are used to smooth, depuff, lift and firm. The party season can be exhausting and there is no better duo to help your skin through it.
While there aren’t many obvious signs you have the disease, it is worth reading up on the subtle red flags to know about.
Why? Well, simply put, because 11,500 women and 85 men still die from breast cancer in the UK every year. To put that into context, in the UK alone, one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every ten minutes, according to CoppaFeel.
Here, one woman shares her inspiring story of bravery, strength and battling stage three cancer throughout a global pandemic. Natasha Lewis was only 27 when she discovered a small lump in her breast, but it sent shockwaves through her body. She knew something was wrong.
Before you read her humbling story, let Jacqueline Lewis, a consultant breast surgeon at Bupa Cromwell Hospital, share some important stats on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and what you should be keeping an eye out for, whatever your age.
What are the signs of breast cancer I should be looking out for?
Often the first symptoms women notice is a lump or area of thickened tissue in breast or underarm.
Other common symptoms are:
A change in size in one or both of your breasts
A discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
A change in the texture and look of your breast or nipples.
Less common symptoms can include irritation or a rash on the breasts or nipples and bloody discharge from the nipple.
How often should I check my breasts?
As every woman’s breasts are different, there is no right or wrong way of checking them. It is important that you get into a regular routine of checking your breasts so that you will be able to identify any changes and report them to your GP.
What’s the best way of doing it?
To check your breasts properly, make sure you’re checking the whole of your breast area. Look at the size and shape of each breast and feel for any lumps. Remember to check your nipples, armpits and the skin on your breasts, too.
At what age should you start checking?
There is no specific age that you should start checking your breasts. However, the earlier you start the more likely you are to be able to recognise what is normal for you and if there is anything unusual.
Once you’re over 50, you’ll be invited for a breast screening mammogram. You will be offered this screening every three years until you’re 70. However, it is important to note you should still be checking your breasts regularly – a breast screening mammogram shouldn’t replace your own regular breast checks.
‘At 27, I discovered I had stage 3 breast cancer. Here’s what it taught me’
“My name is Natasha Lewis and I’m a 28-year-old teacher from Hertfordshire. I work full time, but love baking and going to the gym in my spare time. I’ve spent the last few years getting really into my fitness and have been doing a lot of weight training. I love weight training—I’m constantly pushing myself to see how much I can lift.”
Finding the lump
“I first noticed the lump at the beginning of February 2020, while having a shower. I shower in the same way every single day, so I’m aware of any changes in my body and this was the first time I’d felt a lump in the top right-hand side of my right breast.”
“I was home alone and felt really unsure on what I should do. My body’s natural reaction was to sit down or else I was going to pass out. As I had such an extreme reaction to what I’d felt, I knew it could be something more serious than just a hormonal change. If I hadn’t had that reaction to the lump, then I may not have visited my GP.”
“I had the lump checked a week after I found it. I was offered a faster appointment but as I had previously been poorly with swollen glands, which is quite a regular occurrence for me, so I wanted to give it a few days to make sure it wasn’t the cause of the lump.”
“I remember how nervous I felt that day. I’m quite self-conscious of my body and didn’t necessarily feel comfortable showing my breasts to a male GP. Once I’d met him, I felt more at ease, and was instantly reassured and comforted. I knew however nervous it made me feel, I was doing the right thing in looking after myself.”
“One takeaway for me: you can’t be self-conscious when it comes to your health. I felt so nervous about showing the GP my breasts, but I knew it was the right thing to do. Plus, it’s their job as a medical professional to try and make you feel at ease, where possible. I’d really urge anyone who feels the same way that I did, to get checked as soon as possible. It’s over in no time and not as embarrassing as you build it up tobe in your head at all.”
“Shortly after he’d checked my boobs, my GP told me that it was likely nothing serious. He said that because I was young and have no history of breast cancer in my family, he didn’t think I needed to worry. However, as he couldn’t guarantee this, he sent me for further testing.”
“I was lucky that the GP sent me for more tests and took my concerns seriously. Although he didn’t think it was cancer, he wanted to rule everything out, especially as I was so young. I’m so glad he listened to me and was concerned, as I was, about the reaction I’d had when I found the lump.”
Playing the waiting game
“Next came the waiting. I tried to keep myself occupied and my mind busy until I had the ultrasound, but I still couldn’t shake the memory of how I’d reacted when I first found the lump. I just knew it wasn’t a normal part of my breast and that it wasn’t like anything else I’d ever experienced.”
“I was given an ultrasound and biopsy. At the ultrasound, I saw shadowing. It was at that point I knew it was cancer. I remember speaking to the man doing the ultrasound and saying I knew shadowing meant cancer, but he was unable to confirm it until I’d had my biopsy later that day.”
“Four days later, I had my follow up appointment with the GP to tell me the results. I’d mentally prepared myself for the worst, even though all my friends and family were telling me to remain positive. When the GP came to get me, he didn’t say a word for the entire walk from the waiting area to the consultation room. This doubly confirmed for me that it had to be cancer.”
“I felt numb, even though I knew it was coming”
“He sat me down and came out with it, confirming that I had was breast cancer. Even worse, he warned that it was growing quickly, and stressed how lucky I was that I’d found it when I had. He then went through the process of what would happen next and who I’d be referred to for treatment.”
“I felt numb, even though I knew it was coming. I’m a realist and like to know the facts and what happens next. I needed to know when my next appointment was and how to get rid of the cancer—as fast as possible.”
“It hit me that I had something alien growing inside of me, which I couldn’t control. But I knew I had to take back the control and get rid of it. This was also the day I named my tumour – Friedel – after Tottenham’s ex-goalkeeper who I loved.”
Treating my cancer
“I was referred straight away to meet my surgeon, Mr Giles Davies at Bupa Cromwell Hospital. He was so lovely and personable, which put me at ease a little. He explained the different types of cancer to me and talked through the different treatment options for each type. I had no understanding of cancer—I didn’t even know there could be this many different types. He made it very clear to me what my options would be.”
It hit me that I had something alien growing inside of me, which I couldn’t control
“Another blow was when we then found out that I was triple negative, which meant I wasn’t hormone receptive and my tumour wouldn’t respond to certain treatments. Giles then referred me to an oncologist and explained my tumour would respond best to chemotherapy, followed by a lumpectomy.”
“I was also told that I needed to protect my fertility as I was only 27. It was suggested that I went for egg harvesting, which meant a month of fertility treatment, followed by hormone-blocking injections throughout chemo and for a year after.”
“Before chemo started, I was sent for multiple scans and tests to make sure the cancer was just in one place and to check the size and shape of it.”
Beginning chemotherapy
“I began chemo on 3rd April which continued till 28th August. I had 16 rounds in total. If you’re wondering why the process was so long, or why I had so many rounds, it was because of the type of cancer I had—not many people have to have quite that many, but unfortunately for me, I did.”
“I was fortunate enough to be given the option to use a cold cap, although it doesn’t work for everyone. Cold caps help with the regrowth of hair. Just over a month out of chemo and I already have a thick layer of hair covering my head.”
“Following 16 rounds of chemo, I met with Giles again who explained that as my tumour had been so responsive to the chemo, the lumpectomy would be a minimally invasive procedure, which would help to keep scarring to a minimal.”
“I won’t lie, treatment was really lonely, I wasn’t allowed my family or partner to accompany me. I’ve also not been able to see friends, as I’ve been shielding my lowered immune system (thanks, chemotherapy).”
“The nursing team throughout my operation and chemotherapy were absolutely unbelievable. They became a second family to me. The most difficult thing for everyone was the no contact—if I’d had a bad day, they weren’t able to give me a hug.”
Finding freedom
“A week after surgery, I met with Giles again who told me I had a complete response to surgery and chemo. This meant I was now cancer-free. I can’t describe the feeling.”
“The next step is 10 sessions of radiotherapy to protect me from recurrence in the future.”
What I want you to know…
1. Get it checked—and don’t wait
“If you’re at all worried about your breast health, remember, you know your body better than anyone else. If you’re unsure about something, then get it checked. The sooner, the better. Don’t wait.”
2. You are not alone
“And remember, you are not alone. If you do find yourself in this position, know there are other women experiencing the same thing. They understand what you’re going through, and are able to support you through your journey in a very unique way.”
3. Reach out
“I found a group on Facebook of women of a similar age to myself who have had breast cancer, too. They’ve been an incredible support and understand exactly how I’m feeling.”
4. Be aware of your body and check, check, check
“Throughout my cancer journey, I met so many people who were my age (and even younger) battling with breast cancer. It happens, even though I wish it didn’t. The most important thing I can say is to be aware of your body and any changes. Regularly check your breasts and know what they look and feel like throughout different stages of your monthly cycle.”
