Cancer Champion stories

Would you be able to spot the possible early signs of cancer in a friend or relative?

Below you can read stories from those who have attended a Cancer Champion Awareness Session and find out how they’ve used their cancer knowledge to help save lives. If you’ve also attended a session and would like to share your story, click here to visit our contact page.

Amanda

Encouraging others to take part.

Read Amanda's story

Image of police uniform, saying 'Police Staff' on the back.

David

Cancer knowledge at work.

Read David's story

Jo, a research fellow at Hull York Medical School.

Jo

Improving screening uptake.

Read Jo's story

Sarah, who has long brown wavy hair, wears a white t shirt and smiles at the camera while holding a latte coffee.

Sarah

Attending after a diagnosis.

Read Sarah's story

Up close photo of Humber, Coast and Vale Cancer Alliance Cancer Champion badges. The badge is a white circle with a blue border, and they say 'Cancer Champion' in the middle.

Clare

Being open about cancer.

Read Clare's story

Thinking of booking a place at one of our upcoming Cancer Champions Awareness Sessions?

Click here to find out more about the training and sign up.

Patient stories

Each person whose life has been affected by cancer has a different story to tell.

Scroll down to read, hear, and view the personal stories told to us by patients and carers. Our thanks go to those who have been willing to share their stories to encourage early diagnosis and ensure better outcomes for others affected by cancer.

Sharon, who was diagnosed with breast cancer after learning about the symptoms during a Cancer Champion Awareness Session. She has cheekbone length light brown hair and wears black square glasses. She is looking to the right and slightly smiling.

Sharon

‘Learning about cancer saved my life.’

Watch Sharon's story
Christine, a pancreatic cancer survivor, looks into the camera and smiles. She is wearing a red sparkly long-sleeved top and has brown cropped hair.

Christine

Experiencing pancreatic cancer.

Read Christine's story
Headshot of Margaret Allbones, a cancer survivor who shared her story with us. She is smiling, looking slightly to the right of the camera, and wearing a black jumper. She has cropped blonde hair and is wearing small gold hoop earrings.

Margaret

The importance of noticing what’s ‘normal’.

Read Margaret's story
Beckie, a girl in her mid-20s, smiling at the camera. She has blonde hair that's just longer than her shoulders, blue eyes and a piercing in her left nostril.

Beckie

Cervical screening during a pandemic.

Read Beckie's story
Carol Miller, founder of York Haematology Support group and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia survivor smiling and holding an award from the Lymphoma Association.

Carol

Visiting your GP during COVID-19.

Read Carol's story
A headshot of Zoe, a woman who has survived cancer twice, smiles to the camera. She has shoulder-length brown hair and is wearing a purple 'York Breast Friends' polo shirt.

Zoe

Surviving ovarian and breast cancer.

Watch Zoe's story

Ian

Living with incurable bowel cancer.

Watch Ian's story

Sarah

Getting support for cervical cancer.

Read Sarah's story

Graphic to advertise the You CANcerive Pocast. it's a white background with an illustration of white blossom and the podcast title.You CANcervice Podcast – Yorkshire Cancer Community

To hear more stories from local people who have experienced cancer, listen to the You CANcervive Podcast created by Yorkshire Cancer Community in partnership with the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance. Hosted by cancer survivors Arzoo and Rob, the podcast aims to make cancer an everyday conversation.

To listen, please click here or search ‘You CANcervice Podcast’ on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.