Claire Woolger, a fit teacher, reflects on her shocking cancer diagnoses and her journey to raise awareness
Bath: Claire Woolger is a 33-year-old English teacher who’s all about staying active. She runs marathons, swims, and cycles. But life threw her a curveball when she was diagnosed with cancer not once, but twice. The first time was at just 14, and then again at 32 with stage three breast cancer. Talk about a shocker!
Before her second diagnosis, Claire felt like her life was pretty normal. She was busy teaching and had just started a relationship with her partner, Chris. She was even running half-marathons and had completed the London Marathon for charity. Cancer seemed like a distant memory until early 2023 when she noticed something unusual.
Her first symptom was a nipple discharge, which she initially brushed off as a minor injury. But with her history, she knew she had to get it checked out. Thankfully, her doctor took her concerns seriously and referred her to a breast clinic. That’s when the worry set in again, and she found herself back in the whirlwind of medical appointments.
When she got the diagnosis, it hit her hard. Claire felt disbelief and a sense of betrayal from her body. She had always been fit and healthy, so hearing those words again felt surreal. The cancer she had was hormone positive, meaning her treatment involved suppressing those hormones to prevent any remaining cancer cells from growing.
In May 2023, she underwent a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy. It was tough, especially since some of the drugs were the same ones she had as a teenager. But with the support of her family, friends, and the amazing NHS staff, she managed to get through it.
Claire also had to deal with the emotional side of a second diagnosis. She felt like she had lost her hopeful story of being a cancer survivor. It was hard to understand why this was happening to her again, especially since no one else in her family had cancer. But she decided to channel her experience into raising awareness about breast cancer.
Now, Claire is determined to help others. She volunteers with charities like Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel, sharing her story and educating people about breast cancer in younger individuals. She’s turned her experience into a mission to inspire hope and support for those affected by cancer.
Claire’s journey shows that even in the face of adversity, there’s a chance to rewrite your story and make a difference. She’s a true testament to resilience and the power of community support.
