Kerry turned a frightening diagnosis into a future focused on recovery, confidence, and getting back to the life she loves.

For Kerry Neasham, working as a finance assistant, married to Richard and a mother of two teenagers, life was busy and active: filled with running, walking the family Labrador, and enjoying music festivals with friends. But everything changed when an ordinary routine mammogram led to a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Kerry says it was completely unexpected. “I didn’t feel ill,” she recalls. “It was just a regular check-up, and suddenly I was facing a whirlwind of tests and decisions.” While the news was frightening, Kerry’s immediate focus, alongside her husband, was on finding the fastest, most effective path back to her normal life, a path that ultimately led her to precision radiation therapy.

But the initial weeks were a blur of anxiety, especially waiting for HER2 test results that would determine whether chemotherapy was needed. “That was the hardest part,” Kerry says. “I was terrified of losing my hair and feeling unwell, but thankfully, chemotherapy wasn’t required.” The cancer was Grade 1, hormone-receptive, which meant she could move forward with surgery followed by radiotherapy.

I didn't want the kids to think that I was dying, which I wasn't, and I'm not.

Hoping to avoid potential scheduling delays, Kerry and her husband made the decision to transition to private care. With insurance offered through her employer, Kerry was able to choose Douglas Macmillan for breast surgery, followed by Prof Stephen Chan, a consultant oncologist at GenesisCare in Nottingham, UK, where she received radiotherapy.

Kerry was also assigned a nurse, Michelle, who provided detailed information, literature, and compassionate support. To manage the emotional burden, the couple made a conscious choice to avoid the overwhelming information available online, preferring instead to trust their dedicated medical team. “But with the kids, well, the word cancer is so scary, and I didn't want them to think that I was dying, which I wasn't, and I'm not. And since I didn’t look sick, I think it was easier for them to just carry on.”

Kerry’s surgery involved removing the tumor and lymph nodes, followed by immediate breast reconstruction. As part of her post-surgery recovery, she began physiotherapy to help rebuild her strength and flexibility. This kind of therapy is common and widely recommended after breast cancer surgery, especially when lymph nodes are removed or reconstruction is performed, as it helps patients comfortably position their arms above their head during radiotherapy.

The technology was incredible…the accuracy meant less impact on my body. And the radiotherapy sessions seemed quick, just 10 to 15 minutes each.

Radiotherapy at GenesisCare was a revelation. Treated on one of the UK’s newest machines, Elekta Evo CT-Linac, Kerry avoided the permanent tattoos once required for alignment. “The technology was incredible,” Kerry says. “I used a breath-hold technique, and the accuracy meant less impact on my body. And the radiotherapy sessions seemed quick, just 10 to 15 minutes each.” She adds that side effects were mild: some redness and fatigue, both managed with support from the care team.

Completing her treatment swiftly meant Kerry could put the cancer experience behind her and return to the life she loved. Today, her recovery is measured in simple, meaningful moments: getting back to her routine, spending time with her family, and, of course, enjoying walking her dog.

Reflecting on the experience, Kerry is grateful for both NHS and private care, as well as the advanced radiotherapy in treating her cancer while protecting her quality of life. “I have only positive things to say about radiotherapy,” she says. “It was non-invasive, effective, and I’d recommend it to anyone.” Kerry’s successful treatment journey gave her the peace of mind necessary to immediately look ahead, allowing her to focus entirely on the future, not the fear of the past.

Learn more about radiotherapy, how the treatment process works and other frequently asked questions.