Woman feels 'fortunate' to survive five cancer diagnoses

A woman who survived cancer five times has said she felt "really fortunate" compared to family and friends who "didn't get the five chances I've had".

Natalie Yates-Bolton, a grandmother-of-two, was treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma and also had breast cancer.

The 57-year-old has had 11 operations, 30 sessions of chemotherapy and 55 rounds of radiotherapy.

The University of Salford nursing lecturer has been told she is cancer-free after six years of treatment.

Doctors at The Christie hospital in Manchester said they were thrilled with her progress on a new type of medicine called palbociclib (Ibrance), with all scans showing the cancer had gone.

She said: "If somebody who didn't know my story heard I'd had cancer five times, they might think I'd been unfortunate.

"But I see it the other way - I've been really fortunate because I've got family members and friends who haven't been as lucky as me and didn't get the five chances that I've had to get the successful outcomes from treatment."

Mrs Yates-Bolton said her successful treatment was because "we have an NHS that, although it has its challenges, is better funded than in some of the countries I work with".

"Six years ago, I was kind of running out of options of treatments and then this new drug became available," she said.

"So I feel very fortunate and I think it has really focused the way I live."

Mrs Yates-Bolton was a 22-year-old student at the University of Surrey when she was first diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, which sees white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control.

She continued studying for her nursing degree and worked on a demanding neurological ward while having radiotherapy.

Later in life, the lymphoma returned three times more before she was given the all-clear, after also having a cancerous lump removed with surgery.

Mrs Yates-Bolton, who lives in Chadderton, near Oldham, said she was determined to enjoy spending time with husband, Gary and daughters Lucy and India.

She is also setting herself new exercise challenges. To date, she has completed six marathons, three ultra-marathons and three triathlons.

Last year, she completed the Isle of Wight ultra-marathon and ran around half the island.

She also walked the third leg of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail through France with her mother, Myra, 80.

She said: "The Christie has cared for me for the last 21 years and, thanks to the wonderful medical team who have treated me, I feel enabled and empowered to live an amazing life.

"I am living proof you can rebuild your life after treatment and come through it stronger, and more appreciative of life."

Dr Sacha Howell, a consultant oncologist who has been Mrs Yates-Bolton's doctor since 2009, said: "Natalie has now had 75 cycles of palbociclib.

"It was a relatively new therapy when she started on it six years ago but now it's become a commonly used treatment for some patients.

"She is an exceptional and inspirational lady who is leading a full and active life despite the cancer."

Prof Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said the "relatively new treatment" was being given to patients with secondary breast cancer after helping "hundreds of other people like Natalie".

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