‘Mum and I fought breast cancer at the same time'

Nicola Szkopinska, 39, a complaints manager from Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire, was shocked when her mum Sheila, 72, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Little did she know she’d soon be battling the same disease

- KATIE PEARSON

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing as I sat next to my mum on her sofa.“I have breast cancer,” she said calmly. “Oh, Mum,” I cried. “When did they find it? Why didn’t you tell me?”

My mum, Sheila, 72, smiled softly. “I didn’t want to worry you,” she said as our tears started to fall.

Mum was my best friend and we shared everything with each other. We would meet up most days to go shopping or have a spot of lunch and she was the first person I went to about anything. But in November 2018, when Mum noticed puckering in her left nipple, she took herself to the GP without saying anything to me, my sister Lisa, 41, or my dad Richard, 70. Tests showed a 2cm tumour and cancer in her lymph nodes.

“I wish you’d told me sooner,” I sobbed. “We’ll get through this together.”

We went to her next appointment together and Mum was told to wait until more results came through so the hospital could plan her treatment. We already had a big family holiday in Gran Canaria planned – me, my fiancé Adam, 40, a project manager, our son Luca, seven, and Mum and Dad. I remember the doctor telling us to go and enjoy ourselves.

After we arrived and got settled at the hotel, we went out exploring and found the most beautiful beach. The place was stunning, but I couldn’t help but worry about Mum.

“Relax,” she insisted. “Let’s have a nice holiday.” And that’s exactly what we did.

Four days after we returned home, Mum had a lumpectomy at Mount Vernon Hospital in Northwood, north-west London. “I’ll be here when you wake up,” I said, clutching her hand as she lay in her hospital bed.