A journey from diagnosis to running again
Moira Jordan, a secondary school teacher from south-east London, faced a life-changing battle after a breast cancer diagnosis in March 2023. Carrying the BRCA gene, she had already watched her family navigate cancer’s challenges, with her mother’s ovarian cancer diagnosis years earlier. At 29, Moira underwent a double mastectomy, fertility treatment, and an arduous course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Two years on, she embraced a new milestone: running as a pathway to reclaim her independence and rebuild her sense of self.
How running became a lifeline
After months of hospital visits and a medical menopause, Moira found a turning point through a targeted physiotherapy program at Guy’s Hospital. The team helped her set achievable goals, gradually restoring strength, balance, and confidence. “I began running again, and it helped me reclaim my independence and gave me back a sense of achievement that cancer temporarily took away,” she explains.
Her return to running culminated in the Royal Parks Half Marathon, where she joined 16,000 other runners. She views the race as a meaningful bookmark in her healing journey, a tangible sign of progress after a period defined by medical appointments rather than milestones and memories with friends and family.
The bigger picture: education, early detection, and youth engagement
Moira’s experience extends beyond personal triumph. She believes schools have a vital role in teaching young people what’s normal for their bodies, both physically and mentally. Education about changes in the breast and chest area can empower students to seek medical advice sooner, potentially improving outcomes. In this spirit, CoppaFeel, the charity serving as a beacon for youth-focused breast cancer awareness, continues to push for chest-check education to become a part of the national curriculum for older students.
Unique risks for young people and the importance of awareness
Breast cancer in younger people, while less common, remains a critical issue. In the UK, around 2,400 women under 49 are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Yet there is no routine NHS screening for this age group, underscoring the need for education and self-awareness. CoppaFeel’s work helps reduce delays in diagnosis by encouraging regular chest checks and encouraging individuals to visit a GP if they notice anything unusual.
A message of resilience and community
Becca-Jayne Schofield of CoppaFeel emphasizes the importance of early detection education and accessible information for young people. Moira’s story illustrates how physical activity can be a powerful catalyst in recovery, restoring independence, confidence, and a sense of purpose after life-altering treatment. Her message is clear: knowledge, early action, and community support can change lives.
What this means for survivors and supporters
For survivors, Moira’s experience offers tangible hope: with the right support, rehabilitation can extend beyond physical healing to emotional and social reintegration. For supporters and educators, it’s a call to embed body-awareness and health literacy into schools, and to fund charities like CoppaFeel that turn awareness into action.
