Breast cancer survivor, nurse, and national award winner Sharon Mayood has shared her cancer survival story in the hope that it will help others during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Sharon, a nurse at Hinchinbrooke Hospital, made headlines when she won the Skills for Health, Health Heroes award for the Breakthrough Apprentice of the Year category.

At 40, she decided to completely change her career in accountancy to become a healthcare assistant and is now a qualified nurse despite battling breast cancer at the same time.

The Hunts Post: Sharon Maywood with her award.Sharon Maywood with her award. (Image: North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust)

Sharon applied for a pilot scheme as a nursing associate in 2017 and qualified in 2019. She then worked on ward A10 at Peterborough City Hospital,

All whilst fighting her own cancer battle.

She said: "I have just had my five-year all-clear mammogram, so I have reached a huge milestone, but I will never forget those early days when I found a lump.

"I dismissed it for three weeks and thought it was just linked to my monthly cycle, but my husband kept telling me to get it checked, and I am so glad he did.

The Hunts Post: Sharon ringing the end of treatment bell.Sharon ringing the end of treatment bell. (Image: North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust)

"If I had left it any longer, it could have spread further into my lymph glands, and the outcome may have been very different."

"If I can share anything from my experience, it would be to make sure you keep checking your breasts, go to your screening appointments and go to the GP if you see or feel any changes to your breasts."

The Hunts Post: Sharon is now working at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in the Endoscopy department.Sharon is now working at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in the Endoscopy department. (Image: North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust)

The support that she received from her team on ward A10 during her treatment and her current colleagues' continued support helped her fight against cancer.

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She said: "Everyone has been so supportive, and if I didn't have my team around me cheering me on, I really would have struggled with it all.

The Hunts Post: Sharon has shared her story as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.Sharon has shared her story as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (Image: North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust)