Brave Carol shines a light on Cancer Research
After cancelling a routine eye appointment three times Carol Hampton says she feels lucky to still have her sight after her local optician found a rare cancer behind her eye.
Now Carol is leading the way by opening a Shine night walk in Bristol on Friday, September 13, a neon glowing evening walking event for Cancer Research UK. She is encouraging more people to sign up and take part in the charity’s 10k walk through Bristol harbourside and city centre
Just two weeks after that optician’s appointment Carol was diagnosed with Occular melanoma, cancer of the eye, which is very rare and affects around 851 cases in the UK each year.
Carol, 62, explains: “I just kept putting off my routine eye test for weeks as life just got in the way, and I was busy with family issues going on at the time. But thankfully I did get to my appointment eventually and it was whilst sitting in the chair having the test that I was asked quite a lot of questions.
“I made the appointment on November 4 last year and paid an extra £10 to have a more in-depth test which looks for changes to the eye. Having looked at my left eye more closely, the optician asked if I had ever been referred to an eye hospital. I said ‘no’ and she then asked that my husband come into the room with me.”
The mum of one was told that a mole type tumour was growing behind her iris in her left eye and that she was being referred to Musgrove eye clinic in Taunton.
Just two days later Carol was in hospital having more tests and scans where medics said she needed to have urgent treatment at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.
With around 36,800 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the South West*, and cases on the rise, the mum-of-one hopes people of all abilities will step up and raise vital funds to help power progress in the fight against the disease.
Carol explains: “I won’t know until the end of this year if treatment has been successful but if I hadn't booked an eye test my outcome would be very different.
“Nearly five months on I will always be grateful to our local Specsavers in Burnham on Sea and also to Musgrove Hospital and Moorfield’s Hospital and the Beacon Centre. All of whom I'm still under their care.
“Life changes with a cancer diagnosis but staying positive and motivated and looking after yourself physically and mentally is so important.
“I joined a new walk and running group called the Yellow Brick Road, who have been instrumental in my mental health and physical well-being running again although much slower and shorter distances. I've set myself goals moving up the step ladder slowly. My message to everyone is - please don't put off tomorrow what can be done today.”
Alison Birkett at Cancer Research UK, said: “People of all ages and abilities can sign up and take part in the 10K walk. You can select to fundraise for a type of cancer research that is closest to your heart, Or give their backing to research to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. But It’s not about being first over the finish line, it’s about coming together and raising money to beat cancer.”
Anyone who signs up from now until September 2 can claim 30 per cent off the entry fee by using the code SNWAUG24.
The event starts at the Bristol Harbourside by Lloyds Amphitheatre at 8pm, when participants will take to the city’s streets in a fun and inspirational parade of light, passing some of the city’s iconic landmarks, including Bristol Cathedral, the M Shed, The SS Great Britain and through Broadmead shopping centre and Bristol University.
Carol added: “I always believe that there is a rainbow at the end of every thunderstorm and rather than sitting and dwelling on what could have been I want to get out there and take action.
“I am lucky in that my cancer was at stage 1 and caught early. My nursing team were great, and I was given such a lot of support and having a key support worker really was the turning point for me in getting better.
“The cancer was found at the point where the tumour had begun to turn inwards. Having had brachytherapy which meant it was targeted treatment right into the tumour and to know that it was treatable helped me deal with this and I want to do something to pay it forward.”
Carol has been back to Moorfields recently and has been told the tumour has shrunk by half.
“I will always have the tumour, but doctors have said they are not expecting it to grow. I do have to have regular liver scans to ensure there are no legions on my liver, which is where it could possibly spread to and so far all is clear.”
Last year, Cancer Research UK was able to spend around £3 million in the South West
Alison added: “Research happening right now in the South West, scientists are developing new treatments that could stop cancers growing. In Bristol, Professor Eugenia Piddini is studying whether it’s possible to stop this from happening, preventing the cancer from growing any larger.
“A better understanding of this process could help us develop new and more effective ways of treating cancer, ultimately saving more lives.”
People in Bristol can also help support research like this by volunteering at Shine Night Walk. From helping to set up the course to guiding participants around the city, there are lots of opportunities to get involved, meet new people and learn new skills.
To enter or volunteer visit shinewalk.org and anyone who signs up until September 2 can claim 30 per cent off the entry fee by using the code SNWAUG24.