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Encouraging awareness

Sam’s support for

Breast Cancer

Awareness Month

est Midlands Police Federation rep Tiff, a Police Federation National Board
Sam Hughes joined other breast member and former Leicestershire Police
Wcancer survivors in encouraging Federation chair, was diagnosed with breast
members to talk more openly about the cancer last year in the midst of the
issue. coronavirus pandemic. She said scrolling
Sam, who was diagnosed in 2017, through social media one day led to her doing
supported Breast Cancer Awareness Month a spur-of-the-moment check of her breasts.
in October and has recently turned her Tiff said: “July 9th of last year, I will never
experiences into an information guide for forget the date, I was flicking through Twitter
members full of practical advice on and I saw (sports presenter) Jacquie Beltrao
chemotherapy, Federation support, and talking about the importance of checking. I
self-care tips. thought maybe I should do it. And there they
Recalling her months of treatment, Sam were.
says: “While I received a lot of wonderful “Two pea-sized, hard lumps and I just
support, many people were often unsure of knew straight away. I didn’t know how
how to talk to me – some didn’t even want to aggressive it was or if I had found it early or
say the word ‘cancer’, as if it was contagious. late. I could tell everyone around me wanted
It made an already difficult situation very to ask me ‘so what happens next’ and I just
lonely. I’m glad that others are now also didn’t know. Because I didn’t have the
speaking out and helping demystify ‘the answers. But I knew I was going to fight it.”
Sam said: “I’m so glad Tiff and Tara have
c-word’.” joined me in speaking out about their
“ experiences and encouraging others to get West Midlands Police Federation rep Sam
I’m glad that others
Hughes.
checked. It’s not a club anyone really wants to
are now also
join, but I know all three of us are determined

“If you’re menopausal, then just make
same situation.”
your phone to remind you.
helping demystify to use our diagnosis to help others in the sure it’s the same time every month – log it in

West Midlands Police Federation chair Jon

“It’s a straightforward, five-minute check.
‘the c-word’. Nott said: “Sam, Tiff and Tara are all Don’t worry too much about the method at
exceptional women and I’m thankful to them the start, just get to know your breasts. It can
for sharing their experiences so openly and save your life.”
Tara McGovern, a detective chief honestly. I’m also thankful to them for Tara and Tiff will be sharing more about
speaking out and “
superintendent with the Met Police, found a highlighting the importance of carrying out their journeys, the Change and Check
lump in her breast on New Year’s Eve 2018 regular checks and taking quick action if campaign and their advice in a series of short
and two weeks later was diagnosed with anything seems amiss. videos on Federation social media channels.
breast cancer. “Their stories are an inspiration to us all In a message to anyone who may be
She had lost her mother to the disease and we wish them well.” newly diagnosed, or worried about a possible
when she was just 11 and so began regularly Tara has spearheaded the launch of the diagnosis, Tara and Tiff say: “It’s going to be
checking her own breasts every month. Change and Check campaign, starting in the OK. It will be a rough ride, it will be tough and
She said: “When I found the lump, I knew Met and spreading to forces nationally. The you will feel pretty lousy. But there is nothing
it wasn’t right and I acted straight away. It campaign highlights the importance of that will be thrown at you that you won’t be
was small and my surgeon was surprised I checking your breasts, knowing the signs and able to deal with. It’s going to be OK.”
had even noticed it. But, because I understood symptoms and how to check. Sam adds, “Throughout your journey you
and knew my own body, I found it incredibly She said: “It’s best to check yourself on a will get upset, sad and worried, all very
early and even though it was aggressive, I got monthly basis, at the end of your menstrual normal reactions. You will look into the mirror
through it. My oncologist said ‘I am going to cycle. Look in a mirror, lift your arms and look and see someone you don’t really recognise,
make you feel dreadful for 18 months, but from your neck down to below your breasts. but it’s you. Be proud of what you have
then you are going to live the rest of your life’. Check, feel and press with the flat of your achieved.”
And she was right.” fingers. Read Sam’s booklet, The Dreaded C-Word.
www.polfed.org/westmids federation December 2021/January 2022 33