Please note: This interview talks about cancer, its treatment, and late effects, which some people may find upsetting. Radiotherapy techniques have advanced a lot since the 1980s, and now protect healthy cells much better. The side effects Sally has are from older techniques that are no longer used.
Sally was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma as a teenager. Now 65 and following open heart surgery which left her in a coma for two days, Sally is urging others to be aware of the link between radiotherapy treatments in the 1980s and serious late effects.
There’s no doubt in Sally’s mind that she would have radiotherapy all over again.
It’s been more than four decades since she was diagnosed with cancer, and Sally is glad to be here. But she’s been left shocked and frustrated at the lack of information connecting her treatment to serious health issues in later life.
Early menopause, the removal of parts of her thyroid, breast and lung, and most recently – heart failure – are all likely to be connected to the heavyweight cancer treatments she received in her teens and early twenties.
She said: “Radiotherapy was absolutely the right thing to do at the time. My point is that I want cancer patients like me, who have had radiotherapy to the chest earlier in life, to know about the link between this and all the many late effects, so they can flag it with their GP and ask about preventative care.”
Late effects linked to radiotherapy in the 80s
After reading Debbie’s story on Radiotherapy UK’s website, Sally was amazed by the similarities; both diagnosed young with Hodgkin Lymphoma, both treated with radiotherapy from below the ears to the armpits, and both living with heart conditions many years later. Both women are now focused on raising awareness to help others.
Sally wants to see the same care shown by breast screening services applied to cardiac services.
She said: “In my 40s, a link was identified between my treatment and the risk of secondary cancers. I’m now offered a mammogram every year.
“But when I went for my heart operation the surgeons told me my arteries were really damaged and it was undoubtedly due to the radiotherapy.
“I felt quite angry that no-one had ever told me. Surely there are things I could have done to help myself in the meantime?”
Diagnosed with cancer as a teenager
Sally’s story is one of incredible determination. Diagnosed aged 17, she had chemotherapy while still at school.
Five years later, after moving to London, the cancer returned and she went through twelve rounds of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiotherapy to her chest and neck. In total she went through more than a year of treatment.
She said: “They threw everything at it and I decided I just had to get through it and keep working. I was a clerk at Burtons head office and would do chemotherapy on every third Friday. I was poorly through the weekend and back to work on Monday.
“It was important to me that people didn’t feel sorry for me. I didn’t want them to tilt their head and give me sad looks. So, I bought some nice clothes, as I’d lost weight, and just bluffed it out.
“I knew I’d get over it and I never thought for a second I would die.”
After treatment, Sally went on to build a career in sales and travelled the world while working for Unilever. She is now happily retired with her husband.
Do GPs consider past cancer treatment?
In 2023 she underwent a 10-hour heart operation to repair some of the damage caused by treatment, and had a stent fitted in one of her carotid arteries. It was a harrowing experience for her partner, as Sally did not wake up for two days.
She said: “I had no idea I’d been out for so long and couldn’t understand why my husband was so upset but of course he was preparing for the fact I might be brain damaged because the surgery was so serious and the risk of stroke was very high.
“They told me afterwards that my heart wouldn’t have lasted another year.
“I want to raise awareness because I feel like I’ve been living in ignorance. I wish more GPs would consider past cancer treatment when they’re dealing with people like me. I’d also like more patients to know it’s relevant – tell your GP you’ve had cancer treatment and that there may be a link to the issues you are experiencing.
“Even just knowing radiotherapy is relevant to your future health can help you raise it with your GP.”