‘I was a fit and healthy runner then sign in my neck led to scary diagnosis’

Abi Sherratt was fit and healthy, running 5k every day, when a friend noticed something that led to a life-changing diagnosis

A runner has told how a friend’s comment about her neck changed her life with a “scary” diagnosis that came “out of the blue”. Abi Sherratt was “fit and healthy” 26-year-old and had even taken part in a challenge to run 5k every day for a month but within days of successfully completing that she was facing a battle for her health that had shown almost no warning signs.

It was only after a friend noticed that she had a swollen neck that Abi, now 27, had it examined and discovered she had cancer. At the age of 26, in February last year, she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer requiring urgent surgery.

Now, with her treatment complete, she is gearing up to run the London Marathon to demonstrate to herself that she remains capable of tackling demanding challenges after her diagnosis. And she is fundraising for The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR) – the world-leading research institute and charity – to help discover treatments for others battling the disease.

She said: “My diagnosis was a huge shock and totally unexpected. I was only 26 years old, fit and healthy, and I did not feel at all unwell.

“In fact, I had just completed a fitness challenge, running 5K every single day of the previous month. Hearing I had cancer was very scary, especially as it was a diagnosis that had come completely out of the blue.” Around 4,100 people are diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the UK every year, with papillary thyroid cancer being the most common form. It accounts for roughly four out of five diagnoses – between 3,200 and 3,300 new cases, according to Cancer Research UK figures, reports MyLondon.

Abi, from Tooting, said she was reassured that her type of cancer was highly treatable with a strong chance of a positive outcome, however her recovery proved to be not quite as straightforward as initially anticipated. Having originally been told she would only require a single operation to remove part of her thyroid, she ultimately needed two surgeries as the cancer had advanced further than previously believed.

Her entire thyroid was removed, along with some lymph nodes, followed by a course of radioactive iodine treatment, a form of targeted radiotherapy.

Abi completed her treatment in September and is hopeful that her next scan in May will confirm it has been 100 per cent successful and that the risk of her cancer returning is minimal. She said: “There is no doubt that it has been a tough journey – both physically and mentally.

“But I know that I’m one of the lucky ones, as my type of cancer was highly curable. Knowing that my type of cancer was so treatable made a real difference and gave me hope.

“That’s only possible because of research. It’s thanks to groundbreaking discoveries like those being made at The Institute of Cancer Research, that treatments are improving, outcomes are getting better and more people can find hope in the face of an unimaginable diagnosis.

“Through my own experience with cancer, I’ve seen firsthand how important continued progress is for people and families affected. It’s been a reminder of how quickly life can change, and how much we all rely on the breakthroughs that come from research, as well as the dedicated people pushing for better treatments.”

Abi has chosen to run the London Marathon for The Institute of Cancer Research – not only to prove to herself that this setback won’t hold her back, but to help fund the next scientific breakthrough:

“Running a marathon became something I wanted to do, and getting a place this year after a year of health challenges and for a charity making discoveries to defeat cancer, feels incredibly meaningful. It will be a personal physical feat for me, but one that will help me prove to myself that I am well, that I can still take on tough challenges, that my cancer will not define me or hold me back.

“Cancer research is what gave me the reassurance that I would be OK. Even through it was a horrible and scary time, I knew that treatment was there to make me better again.

“I am thrilled to be running as part of #TeamICR and making a contribution by giving back to research. It is a thank you to those who researched my type of cancer in the past and a sign of hope for those patients who don’t have it so easy.”

Abi is aiming to raise at least £2,500 for The Institute of Cancer Research. Rachael Potter, Sports and Challenge Events Officer at Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the support of Abi and all of our #teamICR runners taking part in this year’s London Marathon. Training for a marathon while fundraising is a huge commitment, and we continue to be inspired by the determination and passion shown by our supporters.

“We hope Abi and all our runners feel motivated knowing they are helping to make a real difference for people affected by cancer. Every pound raised helps drive our research forward, and every mile brings us closer to a future where cancer can be defeated.” To back Abi and contribute to the ICR’s research, visit: Abi’s fundraising page.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer

According to the NHS the main symptoms of thyroid cancer include:

• a lump in the front, lower part of your neck – the lump usually feels hard, slowly gets bigger and is not painful
• a hoarse voice
• a sore throat
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• pain in the front of your neck, or a feeling like something is pressing against your neck

Other symptoms can include:

• a red face (flushing) – this may be harder to see on brown or black skin
• softer poos or diarrhoea
• weight loss
• a cough

The NHS warns: “These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions. Having them does not definitely mean you have thyroid cancer.

“But it’s important to get them checked by a GP. This is because if they’re caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it’s easier to treat.”