On Monday 7 February 2022, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. The diagnosis was a complete shock, at 28 I had never even thought to check my breasts – everyone I knew with breast cancer was over 50!

I had found a small lump on my breast in November 2021 totally by chance, but as so many people do, I left it. After about a month when I realised it was still there, I contacted the GP and my breast cancer journey began.

Since diagnosis I have had dozens of hospital appointments, two breast surgeries, frozen my eggs, been put into a medical menopause, had a portacath surgically inserted into my chest, had cellulitis in my breast which caused it to burst and had five rounds of chemotherapy.

I still have one round of chemotherapy left, followed by some radiotherapy and 10 years of tablets. But even after all of this, the worst part for me has been losing my hair. I never realised how much your hair gives you confidence and is such a big part of your identity. I do however now have the most incredible wig which has helped to make me feel like me again.

My only symptom was the lump that I first found in my breast. This lump was not painful, but every person is different. Others may experience things such as pain, skin changes, inversion or discharge from the nipple, changes in size or colour, even fatigue and shortness of breath. You should check your breasts at least once a month and this is not just the actual breast itself, you need to make sure you are checking up to your collarbone and under your armpit too. You can do this by taking the flat of your hand and checking for anything unusual. But the aim is to really become familiar with what your breasts should feel and look like, then if there are any changes you will pick up on them. There are so many great resources online to help with this, such as Breast Cancer Now.

According to the Breast Cancer Now website, in the UK there are around 56,000 women and 370 men a year diagnosed with breast cancer. The importance of younger people checking their breasts is growing, as now over 6,000 women under 45 are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

I had decided at the initial diagnosis stage that I was going to keep everything very private and only tell close friends and family. However, when I went to St. James’s Hospital in Leeds for my first surgery, I was so shocked with the age gap between myself and the other women that were there. In fact, they were all surprised at how young I was too. Laying in that hospital bed, I decided that I was going to share my story on social media in the hope of raising awareness that young women and men can still get breast cancer. If I can help even one person by doing this, then I’ll be happy.

Before breast cancer I was a very social person, always out doing something with a group of friends. I was a regular at the salon, keeping up with my hair and eyelash appointments. I had graduated from Leeds Trinity University in July 2021 with a degree in Supporting Learning and Additional Needs and opened my own bakery, after starting baking as a hobby during the COVID-19 pandemic. I never in a million years thought that I would be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Since my diagnosis I have tried to keep my life as normal as possible, working and socialising when I can, and napping when I can’t! But breast cancer is not all doom and gloom, sometimes it is good to take a step back and see the positive side of things. I have met some wonderful people on this journey and experienced some amazing things. My friends and family have been incredible, supporting me with whatever I need, no matter how random my idea may seem.

Going forward I hope I can spread as much awareness as possible, encouraging people to check themselves and sharing my story wherever I can.

Aylish Griffiths graduated from Leeds Trinity University in 2021 with a foundation degree in Supporting Learning and Additional Needs. Support and advice about breast cancer can be found on the Breast Cancer Now website.