I woke up today and thought: ‘I have cancer’

Sometimes the breaking point isn’t one thing - it’s what happens when everything breaks at once. And the courage is simply in getting started.

My first thought when I woke up this morning was: “I have cancer.”

My second: “It’s the first time I’ve ever had that thought … will that be my first thought every morning?’

It started with my first routine over-50s mammogram.

Then came the callback: invited for ‘further tests’. Then the biopsies - breast and lymph nodes (the latter looked a bit ‘iffy’ on the ultrasound). Then three excruciating weeks of waiting.

By the time my results appointment rolled around, I already knew.

Having been through breast screening multiple times - for benign lumps - I could tell this was different:

• The lymph node biopsy on the day of my ‘callback’ appointment

• The guided mammogram biopsy the very next day

• The titanium marker inserted for surgery planning

• The way the consultant said, “We’re trying to rule out cancer” - and the way he didn’t say more

I’d already done my own research and understood the likely diagnosis: Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) - early-stage breast cancer. Mine is high grade (i.e. fast-growing), which means surgery and radiotherapy will likely start in the next 4–5 weeks.

Thankfully, the lymph node biopsy came back clear. But I know I can’t exhale until I’ve had an MRI to confirm it hasn’t spread.

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The timing couldn’t be worse

Since February 2025, I’ve been navigating an ongoing cancellation campaign - after I published a video on Instagram in which I said I don’t like the phrase ‘pregnant people’ (still don’t).

I’ve been the subject of numerous social media ‘hit pieces’:

• Called a bigot, a transphobe, compared to Nazis

• Had my views - which are protected in UK law - labelled ‘extreme’

• I’ve lost clients. Long-term friends cut ties

I was also the subject of a 28-minute YouTube takedown that compared my ‘downfall’ to a suspected rapist (Russell Brand) and someone accused of doing a Nazi Salute at a public event (Elon Musk).

The hosts suggested I’d never be booked to speak again.. That people should unfollow me, just to avoid the association. That I was expressing gender-critical views “just for clicks.”

And it feels like every time I’ve tried to get back on my feet - to rebuild my business - something else has knocked me down.

This time, it’s cancer.

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What’s most surreal?

Just a few days ago I was on GB News defending women’s rights. Sharing my experience of being ‘cancelled’ - following BBC presenter’s Martine Croxall’s ‘pregnant people’ moment.

Some people have suggested I might quieten down about women’s rights now. That I should focus on myself - and preserve my energy. But there’s nothing like a breast cancer diagnosis to focus you on women’s issues.

After all, around 1 in 7 women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime - and around 99% of cases occur in women.

And what got me through the unbearable three week wait for my own diagnosis was reading/hearing the stories of women who’ve been brave enough to document their breast cancer journey. It’s why I want to share mine.

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The kick I didn’t ask for … but maybe I needed

All of this has given me the kick up the backside I needed to restart my Substack.

I’ll be honest - I don’t have a polished content strategy.
I’m not sure exactly where I’m going with this.

But as I often tell clients:

You won’t know what to write about until you start writing.
You won’t know what resonates until you start sharing.

And that’s the Courageous part.

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So here’s what I’m doing

👉 I’ve restarted my Substack - Courageous
👉 I’ve relaunched my podcast of the same name
👉 I’ll be documenting the rebuild - following ‘cancellation’ - and now cancer - in real time

And if you’re rebuilding too - your business, your voice, your confidence - I’d love you to come with me.