Grandmother-of-seven Ameena Westwood knew something was not right when she began suffering from a bad cough and shortness of breath last year.
She had been diagnosed with breast cancer six years earlier and received the all-clear after undergoing a mastectomy and radiotherapy treatment.
The disease runs in her family – her mum, dad and sister have all also been diagnosed and Aleena’s daughter opted for a preventative mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA2 gene, which increases risk of certain cancers.
Ameena, 53, said: “Sadly, in December 2023, I started getting a bad cough and shortness of breath when I walked up the stairs. I knew these could be signs of a cancer recurrence, but I was given antibiotics and told not to worry.
“I went back to my GP three times before I was finally sent to hospital for an X-ray. It turned out that my lung had collapsed, and I spent 17 hours in A&E.”
Doctors delivered the devastating news that her cancer had returned and she had stage four metastatic breast cancer. It has now spread to her spine, pelvis, ribs and sternum.
Ameena, from Smethwick, West Midlands, is sharing her story in support of Macmillan Cancer Support. The charity’s analysis suggests that a record 3.4 million people in the UK will be living with the disease by the end of this year – almost half a million more compared with five years ago.
Macmillan has warned that patients are facing an “unacceptable cancer care gap” with a survey finding that one in three sufferers think it is harder to have cancer now than “at any other time they can remember”.
Aleena’s father was also diagnosed with stomach cancer around the time she was finishing her treatment, and died a year later. Her sister also found a lump in her breast and was diagnosed.
“As a family, we felt it was inevitable that we would all end up with cancer,” Ameena said. “We were sure there was a genetic link with our diagnoses, but our concerns were dismissed.
“Luckily, my father had taken part in a genomic trial before he died. Finally, in 2022, we received confirmation that he had carried a faulty BCRA2 gene, and we were given access to testing.
“I opted for preventative surgery and had my ovaries removed. My daughter had a preventative mastectomy, and we all felt so let down by doctors. But rather than being angry at the system, I channelled my anger into making change for communities instead.”
Ameena, who is of dual Yemeni and English heritage, is now a part of Community Connectors – a Macmillan-funded team that tackles the poor cancer experiences and outcomes that can affect people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.
She said: “As someone who has faced a cancer diagnosis and recurrence, I know that living with cancer is not just about the medical challenges – it’s about navigating a system that doesn’t always meet everyone’s needs equally.
“In my family, it started with my mum’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2016, and then my own. I remember lying in bed after my mastectomy, I was in so much pain that I couldn’t even reach my cup of tea.
“The porter who brought in my breakfast didn’t even make eye contact, she just picked up my tray and left. A nurse came in shortly afterwards and I burst into tears. She asked why I hadn’t pressed the buzzer for help, and I explained that I didn’t want to be a pain.”
Ameena’s experience made her realise how difficult it must be for people who face a language barrier, religious or cultural differences, or who are simply too embarrassed to advocate for themselves.
She added: “It’s so important that we make cancer a normal conversation in marginalised communities and help people to act on any concerns.
“Every person with cancer deserves access to the best care possible, no matter who they are or where they live. No-one should face this journey feeling alone and unsupported. I’ll be here to my last breath to support and improve this journey for others.”
