A GRANDMOTHER stunned to discover she had cancer in both breasts has become an inspiration to scores of other women battling the disease.
Heather Lamont has set up the Taunton Breast Friends support group, helping replace sadness and fear with positivity and laughter.
It all started as Heather, 53, sat awaiting treatment in the Beacon Centre cancer unit at Musgrove Park Hospital following her diagnosis in early 2022.
She says: “I wanted to change an awful situation. I wanted to talk to somebody.
“You’re sitting in the clinic feeling isolated, despite there being other people there who’ve been given the same diagnosis as you.
“I asked if there was a support group and they told me there wasn’t a single one in the whole of Somerset.
“I thought, ‘Well, I’ll set one up’. I used my own money for three months, but members of the group said, ‘You can’t do that, we’re going to put some money in’.”
Around 12 women attended the first session, but 17 months on, Breast Friends now has more than 80 members, meeting at St Michael’s Church Hall, having outgrown its previous premises around the corner in Comeytrowe Community Hall.
They range in age from 30 to 84 and enjoy socialising in groups at the get togethers from 9.30am to 12.30pm on the second Tuesday of every month.
Refreshments are provided and on occasions they are visited by guest speakers, including an oncologist, physiotherapist and personal trainer.
At other times sub-groups take part in activities such as paddle boarding, cold water swimming, a menopause day for cancer and cream teas.
“Great friendships have been formed. There’s such a buzz and lots of laughter,” says Heather, who underwent a double lumpectomy and radiotherapy treatment.
Heather grew up in Worcester, where she later worked in a bank before coming to Taunton two decades ago, taking a job with a health insurance firm before setting up her own care company.
She now concentrates on admin and arranging for people to have carers rather than working as a personal carer herself.
She adds: “I’m trying to fit everything into my day, but I do love doing the group.
“I used to pride myself on my fitness, walking - I once did 31 miles in a day - and playing golf.
“I’m on hormone therapy drugs for the next ten years and I get tired quickly. I struggle to walk a few miles, but I do it. If I go on a long walk, I have to take a stick.
“The drugs help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back, but it’s debilitating.
“Cancer changes you as a person, but I still fight every day.
“If somebody’s feeling depressed after hearing their diagnosis, I recommend walking yourself back to a happy place. It really helps with stress.
“I’m living my life for today. Life is for living. Yes, I’ll come out if I’m invited for a drink and a chat and have some fun.”
Taunton Breast Friends is reliant on donations, and Heather says she is grateful to businesses such as Boots and Tesco, which have been supportive.
There are plans in the pipeline to apply for charity status in the hope of being able to attract more funding and grants.
Tickets for a fundraising quiz night in Comeytrowe Community Hall on October 12 sold out in no time.
For further details about the group, email support@tauntonbreastfriends.co.uk - men are also welcome to join.
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