Breast cancer charity now helping hundreds of women

Three years after a group of women came together to support each other after being diagnosed with breast cancer, they have now helped more than 200 others find companionship.

The charity, Taunton and Somerset Breast Friends, was set up by Heather Lamont in 2023 after her own experience with breast cancer left her feeling lonely.

"I didn't have anyone who had experienced breast cancer who I could ask, 'what does this mean?' and 'what symptoms will I go through?'," Lamont said.

"What we've built is honestly beyond what I hoped for. It's a space where women support each other without judgment - we share the scary stuff, the small wins, and we laugh together too."

Lamont was 50 when she was diagnosed in 2022.

"I was thinking I'll never get cancer, I lead a good, healthy lifestyle and then, boom: I found a tiny, pea-sized lump by my boob just under my arm pit," she said.

"It hit me out of nowhere. Luckily, it was found early and it was treated.

"At the time, you're shocked. But I was so determined that I was going to survive this."

She said she started the group because she did not want anyone to feel as alone as she did when she was first diagnosed.

"Seeing how much we lift each other up makes me happy," Lamont added.

Helen Dusting, a trustee of the charity, worked as a radiographer for many years, and says she understood the importance of screening.

"One day, in between having mammograms, I discovered a lump in my breast," Dusting said.

"I'm so grateful I checked my breast in between mammograms. If I'd waited, the cancer would have been further on.

"We are working with the charity to ensure women are getting this diagnosis early."

Sylv Arscott, a member of the group, found a lump on her breast when she was 48.

"I actually didn't sail through it but I had such a good network, the NHS were amazing," Arscott said.

"If you can say you're still breathing, you're a winner. Get on with having fun and enjoying life.

"I can go to the group and say; you can live through this. We've got the energy to tell people to keep checking."

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