​My name is Tracy Street, now retired but I used to be the Community Engagement Lead for Dorset with Macmillan Cancer Support.  It is my pleasure to be here to today and to support SCARS and Tracy. 

2024 marks a very special year for Tracy as it is the 10th anniversary of her setting up SCARS (Stalbridge Cancer & Recovery Support).  Offering peer support to anyone affected by cancer, the chance to meet and share with others who have been through a similar experience in an informal and welcoming setting.  It is also the 13th anniversary of her diagnosis of breast cancer. 

So briefly a bit of Tracy’s story and why SCARS is so important:

Tracy’s cancer journey started in December 2010 when her precious Dog, Max, continually pressed his nose into her right breast.  Tracy found a small lump when showering but decided to wait, however the lump started to get bigger and Max more persistent in nuzzling her breast. So, a visit to the GP was booked for the end of February.

This GP visit triggered an urgent referral to the Ladybird Unit at Poole Hospital on the 9th of March and 5 hours of various tests confirmed that Tracy had invasive ductal cancer to the right breast.  The Consultant booked a lumpectomy, to remove the tumour, this was performed on the 29th of March.  Surgery was followed by Chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Tracy’s cancer was confirmed as a rare Triple Negative and, as she had a strong family history of maternal grandfather, his mother and sister dying of breast cancer, Tracy was sent for Genetic Testing. 

The BRCA 2 gene mutation was confirmed meaning that she had an 80% risk of cancer in occurring in the left breast and a 70% risk of ovarian cancer. Preventative treatment meant that Tracy underwent a total hysterectomy in January 2012 and then a bilateral mastectomy (both breasts removed) and reconstruction undertaken at Salisbury Hospital by the Breast Surgeons and Plastic Surgeon in October 2012. This was 12 hours surgery which almost cost her life as a huge blood loss led to the need for Tracy to be resuscitated followed by 2 days in ICU and 7 days on the ward. 

A traumatic and difficult time for Tracy, her family and friends. 

As I am sure you can only imagine, recovery from the shock of diagnosis and the trauma of treatment, took a huge toll but in early 2014 Tracy made the decision to think and plan how to give something back, to provide the support and information that Tracy felt would have helped her in her own local community and not just at the Hospital.  The seeds of SCARS were starting to be sown. 

Things started to progress and in 2014 Tracy was invited by Collette of St Mary’s to join her in her work to ‘Paint the Town Pink’ for Breast Cancer Care (now Breast Cancer Now) and SCARS held its first drop in at The Conservatory, Williams Cafe, at Dikes Supermarket in Stalbridge. 

The rest as they say is history and this month, we celebrate that SCARS has reached the milestone10-year anniversary, a great achievement.  We also celebrate the support that has been given and received by the group during that time.  Congratulations. 

The importance of peer support for anyone who receives a cancer diagnosis, as well as the family and friends of those diagnosed, cannot be under estimated.  The shared experience, you may not have exactly the same cancer, treatment, feelings or experience but there is something about being able to be with others who understand what you have been through and how you feel physically and emotionally, the loss of sense of self and the person we once were.  

You do not need to talk about your cancer, how you feel, your emotions or physical scars but if you need to there are people who understand, to listen, be non-judgemental and to give their support.  It can take many years for some to be able to talk about their feelings, fear, challenges and adjusting to their “new normal”.  

Running any group is not without its challenges and for those with health issues this can be even more difficult as well as more rewarding.  Cancer can be devastating and life changing, to face the diagnosis and recovery can be isolating and frightening, to meet and share with others can provide comfort, support wellbeing, help to rebuild self-worth and confidence.  

I worked for over 20 years in the community, listening to the stories of those affected by cancer, the need to be able to access local non clinical support, the need to be with others who understand how you feel. To laugh, to cry, to share and just to be.

Over the years I have built good relationships with cancer support and self-help groups, learnt a huge amount from the founders and members and have seen the positive benefits for all members, patients, carers, family members and colleagues.  Also, the positive effect to the local community through helping to support what is an “asset”, a benefit to local people. There is so much to be gained for the community in supporting and encouraging such groups, enriching knowledge and embracing the quality of life and wellbeing for the whole community.

I have also seen the struggles for these groups to survive, lack of funding, misunderstanding of what a peer support group can provide and how much can be gained from attending. The endless passion and drive needed to keep going to be able to sustain the group.  The fear holding people back from stepping through the door, the fear of referral.  The lack of wider acceptance. 

Tracy has faced many challenges in her life but has so much love and passion in wishing to be able to provide a safe space to support others, she comes from that place of knowledge and understanding.  Over the years I have worked with SCARS and watched as the group has developed and grown. 

Tracy has had highs and lows but she never gives up and remains determined in seeing SCARS continue to support people affected by cancer in the Stalbridge area.

Once again congratulations on 10 years, an amazing achievement. I am sure you will all join together to wish SCARS the best for the next 10 years. 

Thank you.