No two cancer journeys are the same, with each diagnosis, treatment, and experience being deeply personal. But despite these differences, there’s a shared strength that bonds those affected – something highlighted by this year’s World Cancer Day theme ‘United by Unique’.
Express reporter Antonia Rubio – who herself was was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2023, and is now one year into remission – spoke to other islanders impacted by the illness to highlight their unique personal experiences…
Isabel Marsh – Leukaemia
After experiencing persistent pain in her back, Isabel Marsh visited the doctor in March 2021 due to concerns of a suspected calcium deficiency.
Within three days of that appointment, blood tests confirmed a diagnosis of B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
And two days later, Isabel was admitted as an inpatient in Southampton Hospital to begin treatment.
She spent her 21st birthday in hospital during her first course of chemotherapy, which lasted for seven weeks.
However, this was unsuccessful due to Isabel’s age – as the older you are, the less effective certain leukaemia treatments become.
Isabel then underwent immunotherapy treatment, which required her to be on a continuous drip for 30 days.
The treatment was delivered through a pump attached to a backpack, and was changed twice a week.
She had two-and-a-half rounds of this treatment, lasting ten weeks in total.
Isabel has been in remission since July 2021, but required further treatment which consisted of a stem cell transplant in September 2021.
The process consisted of intensive chemotherapy and total body radiation to prepare Isabel’s body for the donor stem cells.
She suffered complications from the transplant, with acute graft-versus-host disease developing in her gut and skin.
This occurs when the donor cells recognise they are not in their original body and attack the new recipient. It was treated with high dose steroids which were continued to prevent further complications.
Isabel described the further side effects such as extreme hunger and emotional dysregulation.
“Don’t beat yourself up when your body changes,” she said.
“It is working hard to stay alive and needs your compassion.”
Isabel’s cancer and extensive treatment has left her with lifelong complications – including an under-active thyroid, early menopause, and recurrent autoimmune hemolytic anemia which requires further rounds of immunotherapy treatment each year.
Isabel said: “You cannot go through a cancer diagnosis and come out of it the same person.
“It leaves scars which will likely never heal, and you won’t recognise yourself anymore.
“I struggled with getting to know myself again and needed a lot of grace from my loved ones.
“I was angry and confused, and honestly still am, but I have accepted that my life now looks very different than what I had planned for myself and that is okay.”
Sam Wilkes – Colon Cancer
Sam Wilkes unexpectedly received a diagnosis of colon cancer in August 2024 after a GP appointment.
He had visited the doctor for an unrelated matter, but his blood tests showed abnormalities.
This led to further investigations which revealed a tumour in Sam’s colon.
Following his diagnosis, Sam underwent a hemicolectomy – a type of surgery to remove part of the colon, which is later reattached.
He has now completed five out of eight cycles of chemotherapy.
Despite still having some way to go on his cancer journey, Sam has been sharing his experience online, and participating in podcasts and interviews in the hope of raising awareness and showing encouragement to others who are also battling cancer.
He said: “There are two things you want following a [cancer] diagnosis – normality and certainty.
“Unfortunately, you don’t get either so you have to remain adaptable and take the wins when you can.
“A positive mental attitude is your best weapon during treatment and recovery.”
Sophie Reid – Brain Cancer
In September 2024, Sophie Reid suffered a tonic-clonic, formerly known as a ‘grand mal’, seizure whilst at work.
This resulted in an admission to the Emergency Department but Sophie was not offered any further scans or investigations – despite having no prior history of seizures.
She followed up with her GP who requested head CT and MRI scans which revealed what appeared to be a low-grade glioma – a type of brain tumour.
Brain cancer often has to be diagnosed through surgery or a biopsy if the tumour is inoperable.
Sophie therefore underwent an awake craniotomy in December 2024, which resulted in an official diagnosis of a grade three astrocytoma brain tumour.
She is currently undergoing 33 sessions of radiotherapy in Southampton.
Upon her return to Jersey, she will also face 12 months of chemotherapy.
Sophie’s symptoms included personality and behaviour changes as well as headaches. But the biggest indication was the abrupt seizure.
Sophie will have to be on long-term medication alongside her cancer treatment, which comes with multiple side effects and means that she will be unable to drive.
She has been sharing her cancer journey online to highlight the importance of advocating for your health to get a diagnosis.
Sophie has emphasised the urgency of getting an early diagnosis when it comes to brain cancer as it is quick-growing.
She said: “I wish people knew that every type of cancer is different, and there are so many ‘less curable’ cancers.
“I wish more people knew this so that more funding could be raised for the ‘less survivable’ cancer taskforce.”
You can follow Sophie’s journey on Instagram (@sophiebambam) or TikTok (@bobtheglobcast).
Charlie Mitchell – Testicular Cancer
Charlie Mitchell was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2021 at the age of 22.
He visited a doctor after finding a small hard lump on his left testicle which he initially brushed off as “insignificant”.
His partner at the time insisted he get it checked out, which led to Charlie getting a cancer diagnosis.
The 26-year-old said: “It’s a sensitive area and there’s a strong stigma in the world for men.
“The ‘grow a pair’ mentality made me want to keep it to myself but after speaking to friends and family, some of which also had testicular cancer, it gave me the drive to get it checked.”
Charlie described the initial scan as “hilariously mortifying” – but wants others to learn from his experience.
“Don’t wait, because cancer won’t,” he said.
After undergoing an orchiectomy to remove the cancerous testicle, Charlie was given a testicular prosthesis – an implant that goes in an empty scrotum.
The operation was quick, but Charlie experienced extensive pain for the first few weeks of recovery.
However, he said this was a small price to pay for being cancer-free.
Now in remission, Charlie wants to share his experience, break the stigma surrounding testicular cancer, and raise awareness.
Through his love of writing poetry and stories, he hopes to inspires others to be open about their own experiences – particularly with fighting the taboos surrounding men’s mental health.
“Cancer comes in different shapes and sizes and doesn’t discriminate,” he said.
“So if you feel that lump, notice your body is changing – get checked.”
Emily A’Court – Breast Cancer
Just six weeks shy of her 40th birthday, Emily A’Court was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma – a type of cancer that starts in the mucous glands inside organs like the lungs, colon, or breasts – in August 2024.
Emily booked an appointment with a GP intending to discuss her symptoms of tiredness and irregular periods.
However, days prior to the appointment, she found a lump in her breast.
Emily was referred to a consultant and swiftly booked in for a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy – which all led to a breast cancer diagnosis.
She began treatment 10 days later after a whirlwind of further diagnostic tests and procedures to determine an official prognosis.
In hindsight, Emily said she believed the initial symptoms were her body’s way of alerting her that something wasn’t quite right – highlighting the importance of being proactive about your health when you notice a change in your body.
She has now completed 16 rounds of chemotherapy, with four sessions consisting of doxorubicin – a drug nicknamed as the “red devil” due to its vivid colour and unpleasant side effects.
In an attempt to reduce hair loss, Emily wore ‘cold caps’ during treatment to freeze her hair follicles and prevent the drug reaching them.
Unfortunately this was unsuccessful, and she lost the majority of her hair.
Despite finishing chemotherapy, Emily’s cancer journey is not over as she requires further surgery.
Later this month, she is due to undergo a mastectomy with reconstruction which will determine the next course of action.
Emily may also require radiotherapy in the UK pending the results of the pathology report.
“Just because chemotherapy is finished, doesn’t mean that is it,” she explained.
“There’s still a bit of a road ahead before I get clear results.”
Emily added: “I also wish that people were more aware of the long term effects of chemotherapy drugs on the body.
“I’ve effectively been poisoned for the last 20 weeks in order to feel better in the long run.
“It’s touched on the whole body and it will take time for me to fully recover from this and get back to full speed.”
Callum McNulty – Ewings Sarcoma
At the age of 14, Callum McNulty was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma – a type of paediatric cancer that forms in the bone or soft tissue.
He experienced pain for over six months, however, no further tests were ordered as doctors thought he had a sports injury due to his participation in various strenuous activities.
After waking up one morning in September 2014 unable to walk, Callum was flown to Southampton to have emergency surgery to remove a tumour that was discovered on his spine.
After making it to 18 months in remission, his cancer returned and Callum sadly died in July 2022.
His mother, Joanne McNulty, has been sharing his story to raise awareness.
She was recently appointed an Ambassador for CLIC Sargent (Jersey), a local children’s cancer charity that supported Callum and his family throughout his cancer journey.
Joanne emphasised the importance of friendship during a cancer journey
“It cuts you off from your friends,” she explained – but showed appreciation to Callum’s friends during his cancer journey who made sure he didn’t feel isolated.
“Luckily Callum had an amazing friendship group,” she added.