Woman considers herself 'one of the lucky ones' after beating cancer three times

A mum who was hit with three separate devastating cancer diagnoses in 20 years says she still considers herself "one of the lucky ones". Margie Shields, 74, has battled cancer in her breast, sternum and stomach since her first diagnosis all the way back in 2002.

The mum-of-one, who lives in Huyton, said: "I think that I'm quite lucky to be honest. I think surgeries have come on greatly. I have friends who wouldn't even go for a mammogram and I always say if you're sent for one, please go and have it. It will hurt you a lot more if you leave it."

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Margie's health troubles began in 2002, when a scan revealed the early stages of cancer in her breast. She decided to undergo a double-mastectomy to reduce the chances of the cancer spreading as she underwent chemotherapy - but just three years later, another bout of cancer was detected in her chest.

She said: "In 2002 I knew there was something wrong. You sense things about yourself, you know your own body. I'd been for a mammogram about 18 months before and it obviously wasn't there at that time. But I didn't feel right, so I phoned up the Linda McCartney Centre at the Royal and they actually gave me an appointment on that day.

"I had another mammogram and an ultrasound, and it was there on the ultrasound. Stage one, turning into a stage two. So I decided there and then to have both my breasts removed.

"I had a reconstruction at the same time, so it was a very long operation. It was a long recovery process, because you have to go through chemotherapy and radiotherapy on top of it all.

"It was almost three years after I had my breast cancer I found out I had cancer in my sternum. My chest swelled up and my daughter said you'd better get that looked at, and it was, at the time, quite painful."

To prevent the cancer further spreading, Margie was put on medication which she takes to this day. But tragedy struck again in 2019, when her weight suddenly plummeted from 12st to 9st. She went for a blood test with her GP, who referred her to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, where she was eventually diagnosed with stomach cancer.

She said: "I was shocked really, because before, I knew there was something wrong. But with my stomach, I didn't. I knew one day I wasn't feeling well and thought it could be anything. Cancer didn't even cross my mind."

With her upper stomach damaged beyond repair, Margie had to undergo her most serious operation yet - a total gastrectomy. The procedure involves the complete removal of a patient's stomach, with their oesophagus then being connected to the small intestine, allowing food to pass through.

Margie said: "After I had my surgery I lost even more weight; I dropped to about 8st, because I had my stomach removed I found it very difficult to eat. I still find it hard to eat certain things. If I'm going out with friends, people look at you and think you're a bit mean if you only get a tiny plate. I couldn't eat a pie, or bread. I can eat toast because it's crisp, but bread will get stuck. Even certain veggies I can't have.

She added: "It takes its toll. Even if you don't think it is - you think you're coping really well - sometimes you only put on a brave face because you don't want other people to be worrying about you. But in general I do try to keep smiling.

"I'm one of the lucky ones. I have days where I feel pretty tired and people say "you're getting on a bit now"; you do have your off days, but I always say to people I'm lucky to be here today.

"I have friends who wouldn't even go for a mammogram, and I always say if you're sent for one please go and have it. It will hurt you a lot more if you leave it. As soon as you feel something different, the doctors are there to listen to you. Have it checked. It could save your life."

• This year’s Pause for Hope service which brings together patients, families, doctors, nurses and others involved in the care of cancer patients, will be held on Sunday, September 22 in the Metropolitan Cathedral at 3pm. It is an ecumenical service and all are welcome. No tickets are required.