Patient Stories

Hear about the cancer experiences of some of our patients.

These stories are all from local people who have accessed our cancer services. A big thank you to them for being brave and for sharing their story with us.

If you have a story you would like to share, please contact us.

Video stories

Click on the YouTube link for each story to watch it and please share the link with family, friends and colleagues.

The picture is of a female patient called Sam who is speaking from a gym

Sam's prehab story

Sam shares her story of how prehab, or prehabilitation, helped her to have a more successful outcome from her cancer treatment. Watch now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AocMJd4YNA8

A man is standing in front of an oven. Below is a caption which says 'All you have to do is prick your finger'.

Shaun and Jeanette's prostate cancer story

Shaun and Jeanette share their story of how by ordering a quick and simple PSA test for prostate cancer, it resulted in prostate cancer being found at an early stage and was then treated and cured, saving Shaun's life. Watch now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V1NxwkIeqNM

A lady in a flowery dress is sitting in her home and pointing to her shoulder. A caption below says "and said, I have this pain along here"

Frances' mental health and breast cancer story

Frances shares her story of being diagnosed with breast cancer and the mental health and wellbeing support she received. She explains the importance of psychosocial care in helping her through her cancer treatment. Watch now: https://youtu.be/AfkM76Q31TU

A lady in a grey jumper is sat in her home. Text in the bottom left corner says Jane, Patient. Text underneath her says When I knew something was wrong.

Jane's neuroendocrine cancer story

Jane shares her story about being diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. This is a rarer form of #cancer yet still over 6,000 people are diagnosed with this is in the UK each year. Watch now: https://youtu.be/9TrFONK-TjM

A lady is facing the camera with a dark green background behind her. A caption below her says and how much they have progress in the years.

Breaking cultural myths and stigma about cancer

Cancer patients in north east London share their powerful and moving cancer stories to help others come forward and get the help and support they need.

A lady is facing the camera against a dark green background. A caption says Judy (NEL resident) Patient Story.

Judy's breast cancer story

A powerful and moving story from Judy about her experience of breast cancer and recovery.

A man is facing the camera with a dark green background behind him. A caption says Eddie (NEL Resident) Patient Story.

Eddie share's his leukaemia story

Eddie talks about his experience of leukaemia in this emotional and inspiring video.

A person is hidden by a shadow to protect their identity. The caption says NEL Resident Patient Story.

North East London resident shares their breast cancer story

A resident from north east London talks about their experience of breast cancer and recovery in this moving and thought-provoking video.

Written stories

Click on the links to read each patient's story.

Julie's breast cancer story

Julie shares her story of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, regular screening, and the BRCA1 gene.

Ramses' Best For My Chest story

Ramses tells us how he became a volunteer for our Best For My Chest breast screening campaign for the LGBTQI+ community.

Mary's breast cancer story

Mary Flatley, a patient, local resident, and Lead Cancer Nurse at Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, shares her breast cancer story.

William's lung cancer story

William, from Tower Hamlets, explains how a trip to Asda for a lung scan helped to save his life.

Joel's bowel cancer story

Joel shares how completing the bowel cancer screening kit at home saved his life.

Lauren's lymphoma story

Lauren explains how she felt something wasn't right and how going back to her GP to get symptoms checked led to her treatment and recovery.

Anjna's breast cancer story

Anjna reminds us how important it is to get checked, after she discovered a lump under her armpit whilst on holiday.