From diagnosis to dependence to independence
When Moira Jordan, a 32-year-old secondary school teacher from southeast London, faced triple positive breast cancer in March 2023, she was confronted with a reality many young people fear: a disease that can upend daily life, plans for a family, and the sense of self she had built over years. After discovering a thickening in the edge of her breast, she underwent a demanding treatment plan that included eight rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, reconstruction, and several rounds of radiotherapy, followed by a medical menopause. The journey was physically and emotionally exhausting, leaving her feeling isolated as peers moved forward with life milestones she could not yet reach.
How sport became a lifeline
Two years after her initial diagnosis, a physiotherapy programme at Guy’s Hospital helped Moira regain physical function and, crucially, rebuild her confidence. “The team helped me regain my confidence and encouraged me to set goals that I could work toward,” she recalls. She found solace in running—a clear sign that independence, once compromised by illness, could be reclaimed with steady effort. “I began running again, and it helped me reclaim my independence and gave me back a sense of achievement that cancer temporarily took away.”
A meaningful milestone: Royal Parks Half Marathon
On a bright Sunday in London, Moira joined roughly 16,000 participants to complete the Royal Parks Half Marathon. She ran not just for personal achievement but to raise funds for CoppaFeel, the UK’s only youth-focused breast cancer charity. The run served as a powerful “bookmark” in her life—two years since surgery and a testament to what can be possible with determination, support, and the right mindset.
A broader message for schools and young people
Beyond her personal triumph, Moira emphasizes the critical role of early education in breast cancer awareness. She believes schools have a vital responsibility to teach students what is normal for their bodies physically and mentally, empowering young people to spot changes early and seek help when something seems off. As she notes, “I want every young person to know how to spot when something isn’t right.”
The importance of chest-checking education
Moira’s story intersects with a broader public health message: early detection saves lives. Becca-Jayne Schofield of CoppaFeel highlights the ongoing gap in screening for younger women. “Every year, around 2,400 women under 49 in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer. And for young people there is currently no routine screening programme offered by the NHS. So getting them into the habit of checking their chest and feeling confident to visit the GP if they spot something unusual is so important,” she says.
Moving forward
For Moira, the race is both a personal triumph and a public statement. It marks more than a finish line; it marks a return to the independence that cancer briefly denied. She hopes her story inspires others to pursue fitness as a path to healing, to seek support when needed, and to engage with education that empowers the next generation to recognize warning signs early.
Why this matters
The narrative demonstrates that recovery after cancer is multifaceted, involving physical rehabilitation, mental resilience, and community support. It also underscores a gap in national screening for younger women and the need for ongoing education aimed at youth. When young people know what constitutes normal changes in their bodies, they are more likely to seek timely medical advice, potentially catching issues before they progress.
