Former Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford 'determined not to be frightened' after breast cancer diagnosis
Vicky Ford, former Conservative MP for Chelmsford and Member of the European Parliament, has announced on social media that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Vicky bravely shared that she was told before Christmas after a routine mammogram, and is being supported by her husband, Hugo, an oncologist and director for Cancer Services at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
Writing on Facebook, she shared the difficulties she has had over the Christmas period. She wrote: “I have thought hard about writing this post - but, as I am finding it hard to respond to "how are you?" questions, and in the hopes that it may help others, I think it's better to let folks know what is going on.
“Firstly, a huge thank you to anyone who has ever bought or made a cup of coffee in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. This booklet has been extremely helpful in recent days.”
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Sharing her experience with her followers, Vicky wrote: “For me, this journey started with a routine mammogram before Christmas and then a visit to the local breast clinic between Christmas and New Year. At the clinic they did another mammogram and then an Ultrasound. This confirmed that I have a very small lump in my breast. This news could not have been delivered in a kinder, calmer or more reassuring way.
"They also took some biopsies. These procedures were a tad uncomfortable but not painful. I asked how likely it was that the lump was not cancer and was told this was a very low probability. I have been getting my head around this news.
"Today, Hugo and I returned to the breast clinic to find out the results of the biopsies. It is cancer, but the good news is that it has been found very early, is at stage 1, and is ER positive and HER negative. I am SO glad I went to have that mammogram.”
Now, Vicky says she will have surgery soon, with a possible course of radiotherapy as she is treated. Grateful for the care she has already received, Vicky added: “I would like to say an enormous thank you to everyone in the breast team. The radiographers, radiologists, cancer nurses along the journey so far and the surgeon I met today. Everyone has been so kind. Thank you also to friends and family, and especially to the awesome women I know who have walked this path before.”
Determined to overcome her illness, Vicky commented “I am FINE. Over the past year I have got a lot fitter and I don't think I have felt as physically fit for decades, so I am up for this. I am determined to stay positive and not to be frightened by the cancer. I am hopeful that it will all be over, done and dusted before spring is out.
I think it is important to have some fun things to look forward to. Tomorrow I am going to London to see if I can find a fancy outfit in the January Sales for my youngest's wedding in July. I have just booked a pottery course with my oldest starting at the end of March.”
While she is stepping back from public life, taking a social media break, Vicky gave her followers an important message before wishing them a Happy New Year. She said: “Please, if the NHS contacts you and calls you for a routine mammogram or another cancer screening test, then do it.”