Dear Cancer, Love Victoria

Journalist and presenter Victoria Derbyshire reveals how she dealt with a devastating diagnosis…

- Kristina Beanland

Since the age of nine, I’ve kept a diary. From friendship fallouts to the boys I was absolutely going to marry, I documented the highs and lows of life – perhaps it was a sign that I’d one day become a journalist. So it may come as no surprise to hear that, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I put pen to paper. Scribbling those words in black and white made them so real – even more devastating. But I found solace in detailing my progress and even started filming myself, too. and now my experience has been watched by millions…

It was early one evening in July 2015 when I noticed my right breast looked different. I was getting ready for bed – presenting my morning news programme, Victoria Derbyshire, means I’m often asleep before the sun sets – but as I looked in the mirror, I saw that my nipple was inverted, and my breast seemed to be positioned lower than usual. The reporter in me wanted to know the cause of my odd symptoms, so I searched online.

As soon as I saw the words ‘breast cancer’ flash up on screen, it was as though my life suddenly shifted. I thought of my partner, Mark, and our sons, Oliver, then 11, and Joe, eight. The thought of leaving them was inconceivable. By then, I hadn’t even seen the GP but I knew I wasn’t being dramatic, somehow I knew it was true – I had cancer. 

What followed was a series of hospital appointments, where I had an ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy. Then five days later, Mark and I returned to the GP.