'My scan results lit up like a Christmas tree due to the tumours in my lung'
The 50-year-old non-smoker from Anglesey knew 'deep down' that something was seriously wrong after struggling to keep up with her full-time job as a headteacher in London and feeling breathless on walks she had been completing for years.
She said: 'I was fatigued and very breathless and my feet and hands were twice their normal size.'
A CT scan in April 2018 showed abnormalities in Branwen's lung and further tests revealed she had stage 3b lung cancer. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
Branwen said: 'I was on holiday in Pembrokeshire when I received a call from the consultant to say my scan results lit up like a Christmas tree due to the tumours in my lung.
'When I was diagnosed, I was shocked and very, very scared. I couldn't quite believe it was real and that this was my life.
"Luckily, I was diagnosed at stage 3b, meaning surgery was possible.'
Branwen had major surgery to remove half her lung along with 18 chest lymph nodes. She also had three months chemotherapy and 35 sessions of radiotherapy.
Following her diagnosis, Branwen finished work and moved from London to Moelfre – near her hometown of Menai Bridge - with her wife, Julie.
Although Branwen misses her job as a headteacher, she is making the most of life as a member of the Moelfre Mermaids – a group that enjoys cold water swimming. Branwen says she enjoys life by the sea, travelling in her motorhome and appreciates the 'little things' in life.
She said: 'I miss my job terribly. I loved being a headteacher and it's taken a long time to accept the slower pace of life. But I feel incredibly lucky to still be here.
'It has now been nearly six years since my diagnosis. At the moment, I currently have no evidence of disease (NED) so I'm not on any treatment.'
Branwen, a keen rugby fan and Samba drummer, spends her time volunteering as a Cancer Research UK Ambassador and is a keen advocate for lung cancer patients.
She said: 'What I've found is that people seem to treat those with other cancers differently to those of us with lung cancer. There's still unfortunately a real prejudice surrounding the disease'
Branwen is proud to be backing Cancer Research UK's 'Spot Lung Cancer Earlier' campaign in Wales, which is supported by NHS Wales and the Welsh Government.
She said: 'I'm incredibly passionate about helping people and spreading the message about early diagnosis. I hope people contact their GP with any concerning symptoms as being treated at an early stage is so important. And if you are struggling to be seen, please keep trying.'
Cancer Research UK (CRUK) is urging people not to delay contacting their GP practice as detecting cancer at an early stage gives people the best chance of surviving the disease.
The charity launched a major early diagnosis campaign today in Wales after figures show around half of people in Wales (51%) are diagnosed with lung cancer at the most advanced stage (stage 4). Lung cancer is the biggest cause of cancer deaths in Wales.
Visting the Senedd for the launch of the campaign, CRUK's chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: "Lung cancer is the biggest cause of cancer deaths in Wales and it's concerning that around half of those with the disease are diagnosed at the most advanced stage. Spotting lung cancer earlier can make all the difference, that's why this campaign is vital - by raising awareness of the signs and symptoms and encouraging people to contact their GP if they are concerned.
'But this is only one part of the puzzle. By voting in favour of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the Senedd can protect younger generations from the harms of smoking, which is the leading cause of lung cancer, and the Welsh Government could help turn the tide on these shocking statistics by rolling out targeted lung cancer screening.'
If you are worried about any change that's unusual for you, your GP wants to hear from you. In most cases, it will be a sign of something less serious, but if it is lung cancer, spotting it earlier can make all the difference.'
Each year around 2,500 people in Wales are given the news that they have lung cancer, with most cases being diagnosed in people aged 50 and over.****
Earlier diagnosis of lung cancer can lead to more effective treatment options and outcomes for patients. Almost 6 in 10 people in Wales (55%) will survive their disease for five years or more when diagnosed at the earliest stage. This number falls to 3% when patients are diagnosed at stage 4.
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