Graduate, 23, put cancer symptoms down to ‘hormones’ and ‘stress’

A graduate who put her cancer symptoms down to hormones and stress is calling on young people to seek medical help when something doesn’t feel right with their bodies.

Mia Ancell was 23 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at St George’s Hospital, just weeks after moving to the capital to start her first job out of university.

The marketing executive had treatment and surgery at the hospital in Blackshaw Road, Tooting, where hundreds of people were involved in her care – from doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants to the surgeons, pharmacists, psychologists  in the months that followed.

Now aged 25, as well as encouraging people to book a medical appointment if they notice symptoms, she has thanked the staff at St George’s who played a part in her diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

She said: “It’s amazing how many people touch your experience, and the importance of all of them.

“It was nice that I was taken so seriously – though I probably left it longer than I should have to get help. Had I thought this could happen, I would have taken those symptoms more seriously.

“It’s not about scaring people – most of the time it isn’t cancer – but I am a firm believer that you should get checked out when something doesn’t feel right.”

Ms Ancell first noticed something wasn’t right in October 2022.

She said: “I had some symptoms, like swelling in my breasts, but thought it was hormonal.

“I also had some chest pains over the course of a few weeks. I didn’t think it could be serious – I was only 23, wasn’t aware of what to look out for, and didn’t consider I could have cancer.

Eventually, she visited St George’s emergency department about the chest pains – which turned out to be related to anxiety – and was asked if there was anything else concerning her. It was at this point she mentioned the breast swelling.

Doctors carried out checks and referred Ms Ancell to the Rose Centre for an appointment where she was seen by a doctor and had an immediate ultrasound, mammogram and a breast biopsy. 

Within 10 days she received her diagnosis, stage two breast cancer which had spread to her lymph nodes.

She said: “To experience that at 23 was quite a shock.

“It was a really weird time, there was so much going on. I had to send an email to work to let them know – I had only been there a month.

“It’s strange, looking back, but the thought of losing my independence and social life was a really big deal to me.”

Ms Ancell’s treatment at St George’s started with chemotherapy. She went on to have a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, radiotherapy, and other treatment alongside regular appointments with her consultant.

During this time she decided to raise money for the St George’s Hospital Charity by running a half-marathon.

She said: “I spent so much of my time feeling bad, feeling sad, and it was really nice to get back to my life.”

Weeks after running her half-marathon and raising £2,189, Ms Ancell was invited back to St George’s to meet dozens of people involved in her care – including her oncologist and Clinical Director for Cancer, Dr Muireann Kelleher.

Dr Kelleher said: “Mia is an outstanding young woman who is known by many of our staff. I’m so proud of her – not just for raising this money, but also for highlighting the importance of seeking medical help when something doesn’t feel right.”

To find out more about the signs and symptoms of cancer, visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/symptoms/

Pictured top: Mia Ancell at her graduation (Picture: Mia Ancell)