Bathgate's Nicole launches World Cancer Day in Scotland

Breast cancer survivor Nicole Little has been chosen as the face of a campaign to save lives

Nicole Little who was just 27 when diagnosed with breast cancer

Nicole Little was only seven when she lost her mother to breast cancer and was diagnosed with the same form of the disease at the age of just 27.

Today, having fought and won against the disease, Nicole is urging Scots to unite for World Cancer Day, on February 4. People can support the cause by donating what they can to Cancer Research UK or wearing the charity’s Unity band.

World Cancer Day is an international initiative that invites people across the world to contribute to the efforts of improving cancer treatments and raising awareness of the disease. Despite the promising doubling of cancer survival rates over the past 40 years in the UK, cancer research is in a funding crisis. Cancer Research UK projects a loss of a staggering £300m in income over the following three years.

Nicole's mother, Celia Mason, who died of breast cancer aged just 32

Supporting vital research is extremely important for ambulance dispatcher Nicole, who shares a tragic history with the disease. Nicole’s mother, Celine Mason, who unknowingly carried the faulty BRCA1 gene, was only 32 when breast cancer claimed her life. The breast and ovarian cancer risk increasing BRCA1 gene was also detected in Nicole. Early detection of the gene allows people with an increased risk, like Nicole, to take important steps to prevent breast cancer.

Nicole, now 28, is dedicated in supporting the research uncovering the genetic link to cancer that has brought her family a lot of pain.

She said: “Most people are lucky enough to grow up with a mum, but I was so young when cancer took my mum away.”

Nicole had to relive the trauma of her mother’s death when the doctor’s told her that she also had breast cancer:

Nicole during her own treatment

She added: “It was like history repeating itself. I said to the doctor, ‘that’s what killed my mum.’

"But the doctors quickly explained there have been huge advances in treatment for breast cancer since my mum went through it in the 1990s.”

Indeed, incredible progress has been made. Only four in 10 breast cancer patients survived the disease in the 1970s, compared to 8 in 10 today. “They’re so much better at treating breast cancer today thanks to research, something which gave me hope. Now I want to support research, not just for me and for future generations but in honour of my mum too,” Nicole explains.

Roughly 32,400 Scots are diagnosed with cancer each year. By making a donation or choosing between a pink, navy or blue band, Scottish supporters will be raising money to help get life-saving research back on track following the damage brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cancer Research UK spokeswoman in Scotland, Lisa Adams, said: “Covid-19 has hit us hard, so we are very grateful to Nicole and her family for their support, for helping to underline the stark reality of the current situation.” The research conducted by the charity has contributed greatly to the development of the world’s top 10 cancer treatment drugs. “We’re working every day to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. But we can’t do it alone,” Adams exclaims.

People can donate or get a Unity band online at cruk.org/worldcancerday.

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