Read Lorraine's intriguing story how exercise has helped her in her fight against cancer.:

“I have always been fit and active so it was a shock when I was diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago at the beginning of 2008. The cancer was aggressive and had spread to my lymph nodes.  During the next 12 months I had surgery, reconstruction, chemotherapy and six months of immunotherapy. I stopped treatment at this point as the drugs were affecting my heart function.

 I was determined to keep active and continued running as I decided I was going to run the London marathon after my treatment finished. Without a doubt, the exercise helped me mentally and physically.  In comparison to the other cancer patients, I tolerated the treatment better. Sadly the advice back then was to be inactive and as my local hospital refused to support my running I transferred to a London Teaching Hospital.

Running one marathon wasn’t enough and I decided to join the 100 marathon club. I had the most amazing seven years running marathons, ultra-marathons and multi-day marathons across England and Ireland. It took me to places I’d never been and met the most incredible people. It helped focus my mind on what I could achieve and showed me the depth of my determination, focus and commitment.

Being presented with my 100 Marathon club vest in February 2015 is one of my greatest achievements. Unfortunately within two months, I was re-diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, which is where the cancer has spread to other organs in your body. At this stage, it is incurable but treatable. I then had further chemotherapy before starting immunotherapy, which I have had every month for the last 5 years. I continued running marathons and ultras to the surprise, but with the full support of my medical team.

My exercise routine had always been cardio-vascular, mainly running, swimming and cycling. This changed when I was admitted to hospital with sepsis. It was a grim experience and I felt emotionally and physically broken. I also found out that my medication was causing bone loss. I have a science background and following my own research I discovered strength work was my best option rather than taking another drug. So I joined CHALKBOX. 

Exercising whilst on treatment is hard, particularly the days after treatment. Immunotherapy makes you feel as if you have a bad case of flu. But I always feel better, both physically and mentally for getting myself moving and doing exercise at CHAKBOX surrounded by a supportive community

As well as sepsis and bone loss the cancer treatment has given me two blood clots in my heart, reduced my heart function so that I need regular heart scans, and lymphoedema.  Due to the lymphedema, I wear a compression sleeve when I exercise to stop my arm from swelling. I have undoubtedly done better than anyone anticipated considering my diagnosis. My medical team and I both feel that my mental attitude and fitness has contributed to this positive outcome.”