GAYLE Audley counts herself lucky that an invitation for a routine mammogram arrived when she was working from home.
Despite having no symptoms, the mammogram detected a tumour in her left breast. Gayle, from York, clearly remembers the lead up to the diagnosis.
“I work for myself, I’m self-employed and I work all over the country and very often I’m away,” she said.
“When I got the appointment time through, it was in a week when I was actually working from home, so I thought I would go.
“To be honest with you, had I been away I probably wouldn’t have cancelled work to go. Bearing in mind I didn’t feel a lump, there was no discharge, nothing. To all intents and purposes, I was healthy. I went away on holiday and when I came back there was a letter.”
The letter was an invitation for a follow-up mammogram at York Hospital. Even then Gayle, who has played tennis for the north of England and is a part-time tennis coach, wasn’t unduly alarmed.
But during her appointment, once she’d had two further two mammograms, an ultrasound and a biopsy, Gayle became aware that the waiting room was gradually emptying as patients were told they were fine and could leave.
“By 12.30pm there were just myself and another lady in the waiting room and we were both diagnosed with cancer.”
A breast cancer nurse told Gayle she had a grade 2 tumour which was quite fast growing.
“Suddenly I felt the tears pricking the back of my eyes. The first thing I said to her was I’ve not got time for this, I’m self-employed and I’m going through a divorce.
“Racing through my mind was that I was going to have to have an operation, I’m self-employed and I don’t get sick pay.”
Following her diagnosis and successful treatment, Gayle, 54, knows exactly how vital it is to raise funds for life-saving research.
That’s why Gayle and her sons, Emilio, 29 and Gabriel, 18, are looking forward to completing the Race for Life Pretty Muddy obstacle course together at York Racecourse on Sunday July 2.
Gayle, who is cancer free, is hoping to encourage people of all ages and abilities to join them and sign up to their local event at
www.raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. This is the 30th year of Race for Life and participants will receive a special medal to mark the milestone.
Every year, around 32,500 people are diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire and the Humber and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime. Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - helping to save more lives.
Gayle said: “I’m proud to Race for Life to raise funds for vital research for people like me.
“When I look back, I think that I might not have gone for the mammogram for another year, by which time it might have been too late.
“When people say you were unlucky to get cancer, I always say I was lucky for them to find it. Although mine was quick growing, I was lucky it was caught early.
“We all have a reason to Race for Life. For me it was my boys who kept me going – I thought they need their mum.”
After her diagnosis in 2019, Gayle, who works with legal firms on risk and compliance and is a business consultant with estate agents, underwent a lumpectomy and radiotherapy.
Her parents, sons and friends rallied round, especially after she had to have a second operation which was to ensure that a sufficient margin of tissue had been taken from around the lump. She went through the experience while also coping with the menopause and a divorce.
“On the day before that second operation, I was in court for my divorce,” she said. “I was sat in court thinking, tomorrow I’m going to be on the operating table.”
Following the surgery, she needed to keep the bandages dry and it had been suggested that she cover them with cling film so she could have a bath.
But when she found herself in the middle of a menopausal hot flush she couldn’t get the cling film to stick to her skin and realised she needed help.
She rang her sister, Claire: “I said, can you come down and put clingfilm on my boobs – it’s not really a sentence you think you’re going to say.”
Gayle had 15 sessions of radiotherapy and her mum and dad travelled by bus to be there to support her throughout.
Since her diagnosis, she has supported Cancer Research UK by taking part in Race for Life and other events. She’s appeared in a charity fashion show, modelling in the lingerie and swimwear section, when she danced to Club Tropicana by Wham!
Gayle continues to take medication and has regular mammograms to make sure she is clear of the disease.
The Race for Life events at The Knavesmire, York Racecourse, on Sunday July 2, are open to people of all ages and abilities. Women, men and children can choose from 5k and 10k events. There is also an opportunity to take part in Pretty Muddy, a mud-splattered obstacle course and there’s a Pretty Muddy Kids option.
Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in North Yorkshire Michaela Robinson-Tate said: “We are incredibly grateful to Gayle for her support.
“We’d love for as many people as possible across Yorkshire to join us during our 30th year of Race for Life. Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way. Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life.
“Together we can bring about a future free from the fear of cancer. So we’re asking people across the region: Who will you Race for?
“Our Race for Life events are open to all. For some people, Race for Life is literally a walk in the park. Slow and steady still wins. For others, it’s a jog. Others may opt to push themselves harder, taking up the challenge of the 10K distance. But what is for certain is we’re looking forward to welcoming people of all ages and abilities.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.
Chief executive of Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, Andy Curran, said: “We are extremely proud to have been chosen as the headline sponsor of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.
“This sponsorship will help encourage participation and raise funds for life-saving research to help beat cancer.”
To enter, visit www.raceforlife.org
