'I was diagnosed with cancer three weeks after clear mammogram'
Louise Butcher, a 52-year-old charity worker from Braunton, Devon, discovered she had lobular breast cancer after performing a self-check at home, despite a mammogram three weeks earlier showing no signs of the disease. Although it came because she struggled with health anxiety, Louise's vigilance paid off when she noticed a 'thickening' in her left breast, leading to an ultrasound that revealed a 5cm tumour.
Diagnosed in April 2022, Louise underwent a mastectomy and later chose to remove her right breast as well. This week, campaigners have been pressing Health Secretary Wes Streeting for increased research into this type of cancer, which often evades detection on mammograms.
Louise said: "I did a self-check at home. There was a weird feeling - a thickening like it was attached to something else.
"It doesn't feel like a lump - more like a spider's web. I had never heard of it [lobular cancer]."
Louise credits her thorough self-examination for detecting the cancer, noting that while growth near the nipple can cause inversion and dimpling of the skin, she experienced none of these symptoms.
At present, there is a lack of national standard treatment or guidelines specifically for lobular breast cancer, with it being treated similarly to other forms of invasive breast cancer, despite being the second most prevalent type. Following her diagnosis, Louise chose to have a double mastectomy and opted against reconstructive surgery, instead learning to accept and love her new body.
She explained: "I couldn't cope with just having one. I was too scared - if you can't see it I'm going to be scared all the time."
Louise also decided against conforming to societal expectations of undergoing reconstructive surgery, adding: "I didn't feel the need to stick with social norms and get reconstructive surgery. I accept the way I am - and it's something I've learnt to control, despite what others think."
Louise is a strong advocate for increased research into lobular cancer, highlighting the complexities and uncertainties surrounding the disease: "You never know what's happening with it. It's not so simple."
The campaign is urging the government to pledge £20m over five years to fund research into lobular cancer. Louise has also written a book, 'Going Topless', and can be followed on Instagram @louisebutcher39.
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