'Kindest' and 'sweetest' young woman, 26, diagnosed with cancer
A beautiful and bright young woman has been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at just 26 years old. Casey Powell, from Callington, recieved her diagnosis just months after starting her dream career.
She's described by loved ones as having a "heart of gold" with "not a bad bone in her body". Following the tragic news, she's having to undergo eight rounds of chemotherapy meaning she is unable to work. Even so, she is trying to raise as much awareness as she can about the disease.
Her sister Lauren said: "She's honestly the kindest and sweetest girl and really is the light of our family. She really knows how to put a smile on people's faces and she has a heart of gold. She would do anything for anyone without hesitation. She really does not have a bad bone in her body."
Casey found out she had breast cancer after discovering a lump in her left breast while visiting her family in Cornwall earlier this year. It was 25mm and doctors believe it may have been there for around a year before she noticed it.
"I went to the doctors and they referred me to Barnstable Hospital's breast clinic where I then had biopsies, ultrasounds and a mammogram which showed the cancer. I then had further scans and tests. I had surgery back in July and they managed to get the tumour, but while in surgery found out that it started to spread into my lymph nodes and chest wall."
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She's now undergoing chemotherapy every two weeks to tackle the rest of the disease. "The chemotherapy is where it’s the hardest," she adds. "The side effects are horrible; feeling so unwell like I can’t get out of bed and now I’ve just started losing my hair even after trying the cold cap."
She's also facing further surgeries to carry out a double mastectomy (the removal of both breasts) and one to clear her lymph nodes. "I will also probably be on medication for the next five to ten years of my life so unfortunately my journey is far from over at the moment," she adds.
"My advice to anyone would be to check your boobs. If I never felt the lump I would still be walking around now with no idea. They also think I have had it for around a year unnoticed as there is nothing for young people - no testing or screening unless you do find something."
A GoFundMe page, set up by her sister Lauren to provide support for Casey, who currently lives in Holsworthy, states: "A few months ago she had a big surgery which she was meant to be off work for, for at least six weeks, but went straight back into work after two weeks.
"She has worked all her life and it’s becoming hard for her to come to terms with how she will pay her bills and things she needs as she will be out of pocket. in January she started her dream career in the ambulance service which is another thing that has had to be taken away from her."
Lauren adds: "If anyone can donate as little or as much as they can just to help my beautiful, brave sister who is my best friend, my whole world, and who would do anything to help anyone, with what she is about to go through. We just wanted to be able to have one less thing to worry about, we would forever be grateful."
You can view the GoFundMe page and donate, here. A stand up comedy night is also being held this weekend at Bowden Derra Park in Polyphant, Launceston, to raise funds for Casey, who used to work there, and to raise awareness for breast cancer.
The show, arranged in conjunction with Wing It Comedy, starts at 8pm on October 27 and features sets from Lous Burgess, Alf, Suzy Bennett, Ian Bowden, Krishna Hurry and more. Tickets are £10 and can be booked, here.
A spokesperson for Bowden Derra Park said: "Join us, as we make a difference, raise awareness, and laugh our way through it all. Casey Powell is a young, beautiful lady, who for many years worked as a support worker here at Bowden Derra, a care home for those with learning difficulties. Casey made an impact daily, making both staff and service users laugh and smile.
"It is our time, to show her the support she needs and give her a little smile and laughter through these tough times."