Janis Thomson praises NHS after receiving the all-clear following treatment for breast cancer

A CANCER survivor from Kinloss has praised local NHS services for saving her life.

Forres Health and Care Centre patient Janis Thomson of Upper Hempriggs found a lump in her breast, contacted her GP and completed a programme of chemotherapy before being given the all-clear.

She said: “People are quick to complain about NHS services, highlight the negatives and are reluctant to offer praise. Well I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of the NHS staff who helped me. I owe them my life and sanity. Well done NHS; I will always be one of your biggest fans.”

Janis found the mass in her right breast in August 2020.

She said: “I was in her surgery the following morning and a couple of weeks later at the breast clinic in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) following a mammogram. I was examined and sent straight in to see a radiographer for a scan and biopsy. It turned out that my right breast was OK - just a bit of thickening following a small accident. However, my mammogram showed a tumour on my left breast and everything moved into overdrive!”

Biopsies were taken and a place was reserved for an operation two weeks later. By October 1, Janis was in theatre having a rapidly growing tumour and two lymph nodes removed.

“What service!” she said. “Everyone who dealt with me was so kind, caring and professional.”

Her results followed less than three weeks later.

She said: “They weren’t what we’d all hoped but I had a very re-assuring phone call from the surgeon and support from a dedicated breast cancer nurse. Things moved swiftly.”

Janis had a video call with her oncologist to discuss the chemotherapy needed to address her cancer. This started four weeks later in the Spey Ward at Dr Gray’s Hospital.

“Another wonderful team picked up the baton,” she said. “My sister-in-law, who has terminal cancer and lives in Altrincham, Cheshire, asked me if I had gone private. When I told her that my treatment was via the NHS she was shocked – her experience has been very different and she has to pester to get any appointments!”

Having completed an initial chemotherapy course, Janis will receive treatment for the next 10 years to ensure nothing returns.

She also underwent radiotherapy at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness rather than further afield in the Granite City following a suggestion by her doctor.

She finished: “I recently got my results from the consultant/surgeon in Aberdeen. There is no cancer in my left breast ... Woohoo! My doctor has been phoning me every months to keep an eye on me.

“Such wonderful support.”