“Trust your instincts”: Abbie shares her cancer journey to raise life-saving awareness

We are honoured to share the story of Abbie, one of our dedicated and much-loved paramedics. At just 26, Abbie was diagnosed with primary breast cancer. Today, she is living with a secondary, incurable diagnosis, and showing extraordinary strength, honesty, and hope. 

Abbie’s journey is a powerful reminder that cancer can affect anyone, at any age. Early action matters. Awareness matters. You matter. 

By sharing her experience in her own words, Abbie hopes to empower others to recognise signs and symptoms early, check themselves regularly, and speak up until they feel heard. 

Abbie’s story — in her own words 

“I’ve wanted to be a paramedic since I was seven.” 

My name is Abbie, and for as long as I can remember, being a paramedic has always been my dream. It began when a close relative suffered a stroke. I watched the ambulance crew move with such calm skill and compassion that even at seven years old I thought, “That’s what I want to do one day.”

My parents used to let me stay up late on Saturday nights to watch Casualty, and that only fuelled my determination. Every step I’ve taken in life has been shaped by that childhood ambition. I’ve now been a qualified paramedic for nine years, and I still absolutely love my job. No two days are the same. You have to think fast, adapt quickly, and support people during their most vulnerable moments. 

There is nothing more meaningful than giving someone a fighting chance or bringing a new life into the world. Supporting students and watching them grow into confident paramedics is equally rewarding. It’s a privilege I don’t take lightly. 

I never imagined I would become the patient. 

“Before my diagnosis, cancer was just a word.” 

Before my own experience, cancer was something I encountered professionally but had no personal connection to. With no family history, I never thought it would happen to me. 

Around nine months before my diagnosis, I noticed enlarged lymph nodes in my neck. I contacted my GP and, due to limited face-to-face appointments during the pandemic, I was reassured it was likely viral. The swelling went down, and I didn’t think about it again. 

Several months later, I found a lump beneath my right breast, about the size of a golf ball. I remember feeling shocked that I hadn’t noticed it sooner. I had also lost three stone while dieting, so I didn’t recognise weight loss as a red flag either. 

Even as a paramedic, I thought, “This doesn’t happen to someone my age.”

But age isn’t protection, and dismissing symptoms doesn’t make them go away. 

“I didn’t want to know - because knowing made it real.” 

When the receptionist booked me in quickly, it struck me how seriously they were taking it. Deep down, a part of me feared I already knew what it was. I felt that if I didn’t get it checked, there was still room for doubt… for hope. 

But denial is dangerous. From the moment of my appointment, my life has never been the same. 

My world shattered in an instant. I went from being the healthcare professional to the person needing help. That shift was profoundly unsettling. I had never truly been a patient before. 

Balancing both identities, paramedic and patient, is still something I struggle to navigate every day. 

“Work gave me purpose when everything else felt uncertain.” 

I couldn’t face the idea of staying at home with nothing to focus on while I went through treatment, so I asked NEAS if there were alternative duties I could take on. 

There was never any pressure for me to do this, it was my decision. I was welcomed into the research team, and their support was incredible. That period gave me purpose, connection, and opportunities I’ll never forget. 

When treatment ended, I pushed myself to return to frontline duties as quickly as possible. I missed being on the road, I missed the job, and I missed feeling like me. But the long-term side effects, pain, fatigue, anxiety, fear of recurrence, were overwhelming. 

Eventually, I transitioned to a rapid response ambulance, which helped me manage the physical demands better. 

I also started mental health therapy, which became a turning point. It helped me process everything I’d been through, rebuild my confidence, and rediscover happiness. 

“On difficult days, I lean on the people who lift me up.” 

I’m incredibly lucky to have a strong support network, my incredible family, friends, colleagues, and management team. They have shown me kindness, patience, and unwavering support. 

Keeping busy and prioritising self-care helps me stay grounded. It stops me from spiralling into overthinking and allows me to stay present, even when things feel heavy.