'I was told I would die in two years - and doctors are baffled I'm still here'

A North Yorkshire mum who was told she'd die from incurable cancer within two years has spoken out about how she has baffled doctors seven years later.

Julie Blackburn, 53, was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2015 after discovering a lump while showering. She underwent a mastectomy and radiotherapy, hoping to put the cancer behind her.

However, three years later, Julie noticed a change in her other breast and was diagnosed with stage four secondary breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes and bones. The diagnosis came with a bleak prognosis, leaving Julie "devastated" with a life expectancy of just two years.

She said: "This was a new, unrelated cancer, but it had already spread and was in my lymph nodes and my bones.

"I had a mastectomy of my remaining breast, but it was already too late to stop the cancer, and I was told my life expectancy was about two years.

"I was absolutely devastated and had some very dark days.

"But I made a decision, that I wanted to live for the day and, despite my bleak prognosis, to live as best as I could for as long as I could."

But despite the prognosis, the York mum has defied the odds and is still alive seven years after her diagnosis. "My cancer markers are low, but more importantly they are stable," she said. "It is unbelievable to see for me and my doctors."

At the time of her initial diagnosis, Julie was 43-years-old and working as a community and events manager at YO1 Radio Station. Julie, a mum dedicated to her son Henry, has shared her harrowing journey through breast cancer treatment after initially dismissing a concerning lump.

Within a fortnight of visiting her GP, Julie underwent surgery and was prescribed Tamoxifen, a drug used to combat breast cancer. Speaking about the swift action taken, she said: "I was 43 and my son Henry was just three years old.

"Within two weeks of going to my GP, I was told the lump I'd found was cancerous and I was booked in for surgery.

"I had a mastectomy and reconstruction, as well as three weeks of radiotherapy."

Her resilience paid off, and despite the initial shock of the diagnosis, Julie's treatments including hormone therapy went smoothly. She said: "Despite the shock of getting a diagnosis, everything went well and I began taking the hormone therapy drug Tamoxifen and just needed checkups every six months.

Get all the latest and breaking North Yorkshire news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here.

"I thought that was the end of it and I was grateful to have put cancer behind me."

To cope and provide for her son's future, Julie started writing heartfelt letters to Henry to give him annually until his 13th birthday. However, her improved health meant she could share these personal musings in person instead.

Moreover, Julie's care regimen included Palbociclib—a pioneering chemotherapy drug from Cancer Research UK—contributing significantly to getting her cancer markers at their lowest. She now takes the pill with a structured schedule and attends hospital only once each trimester.

"I will never be cured, but this magnificent drug developed by Cancer Research UK is keeping me alive and for much longer than anticipated.," she said.

Julie, who has been dealing with the aftermath of her cancer treatment which includes fatigue, aches and pains, recounted how the experience has become an integral part of her life but hasn't stopped her from living. She credits Cancer Research UK with saving her life and is now urging people to consider leaving legacies to the charity in their wills.

Gifts left in wills, she argues, are crucial for funding revolutionary trials and extensive research, potentially improving more lives across the country. "As a result, one by one I get to give Henry the letters that I wrote him, never thinking that I would be here to see him read them," she said. "The last being for his 13th birthday, when he became a teenager.

"I still suffer from side effects of treatment and have fatigue, aches and pains, but this has become part of my life now and I am able to live life despite my diagnosis."

Speaking on the support she received, Julie said: "Research into improved treatments has had an invaluable impact on my life and has given me more time with my family.

"I've been able to experience so many important milestones that I thought I'd never reach.

"I've celebrated my 50th birthday, seen Henry start secondary school and become a teenager.

"But, none of this would have been possible without the dedication of researchers who are striving to make new discoveries and cancer breakthroughs.

"They need our support to help create the life-saving treatments of tomorrow."

Scientists at Cancer Research UK, crucial in developing Julie's treatments, are being backed by her appeal for more UK residents to consider legacy donations in their wills. Explaining the positive impact of research, she shared: "Advances in research mean people are being diagnosed earlier, have access to kinder and more effective treatments and some cancers are prevented completely.

"So, I hope sharing my experience will help inspire more support for Cancer Research UK."

"By leaving a gift in their Will to the charity, people across the region could help give the gift of hope to many more people like me."

Get all the latest and breaking news in Yorkshire by signing up to our newsletter here.

Lisa Millett, the Cancer Research UK spokesperson for North Yorkshire, said: "We're so grateful to Julie for helping to raise awareness and are so happy to hear how she is benefitting from our research.

"Our scientists have played a role in around half of the world's essential cancer drugs, led the development of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and paved the way for targeted treatments.

"This all adds up to more precious moments for people affected by cancer and their loved ones. But we must go further and faster.

"Nearly one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime.

"All of us can support the research that will beat it."

"We're working towards a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer and gifts in wills are vital to making this a reality."