Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Cardiff Breast Centre

Around 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year. Although breast cancer is more common in women over 50, it can still affect younger women. 

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board are proud to be home to the Cardiff Breast Centre, situated in University Hospital Llandough since 2010. 

The Breast Centre recently came into the spotlight during episode six of BBC Saving Lives in Cardiff series, where consultant breast surgeon Eleri Davies and her team seek to help patient Michaela once again, who sadly is no stranger to the Centre. 

To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are shining a light on Eleri and her team, highlighting their sheer determination, dedication and hard work which in turn provides the best possible outcomes for the patients at the Breast Centre. 

Clinical Director, Eleri Davies has been a surgeon at the Breast Centre, University Hospital Llandough since 2010. Originally from Chester, Eleri now lives in South Wales with her husband and two children and is also a fluent Welsh speaker. With a special interest in patients who inherit the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene variants, Eleri splits her time between working with Public Health and the national screening programme, training and her surgical duties. 

“Lucky to have a great team” 

Having a core team you can rely on in any role makes for better outcomes, but as part of a team that delivers lifesaving care, whether that be clinical or surgical, it is vital for excellent patient care. 

“We are very lucky within the Breast Centre that we have an incredibly experienced team. Especially for myself in theatre, I have a diligent and proactive team who have predicted my next move before I have even opened my mouth.” 

“Everyone works so hard from the moment we receive the referral to the administration team trying to get them in as quickly as they can through to the clinic staff – I applaud them all.” 

“Patients often see the same faces from their first appointment to their last, and having that consistent care provides great comfort for those going through one of the most challenging periods of their lives.” 

Two of those constants will be Ceri and Kelly, clinic coordinators at the Breast Centre. Working at a faced paced unit with ever changing circumstances, Ceri and Kelly’s roles are crucial to ensure patients are seen on time with a kind and caring approach. 

Ceri has worked at the Breast Centre since it opened 25 years ago and says she loves her job just as much today as she did on her first day; 

“I have 5 years until I retire…if I ever do! It’s lovely to come to work knowing that you’re going to be with not just work colleagues or associates but valued friends. We all have our squabbles but we air it out and it’s gone!” 

Both Ceri and Kelly are breast cancer survivors and therefore are able to empathise on a personal level with every single patient that walks through the door; 

“We go through the emotions with the patients as well. It’s an emotional rollercoaster in the sense that we could be heartbroken with a patient who has had devastating news and in the next breath having to be elated with a patient who has had the all clear. Our emotions are always sincere but being a backbone for patients during their time of need can be physically and mentally exhausting but at the same time extremely rewarding.” 

Kelly added; 

“I love my job. It’s such a nice unit and I feel like I can give back. It’s makes such a difference when you love your job and the people you work with and I’m able to juggle a job a love whilst raising my children.” 

Breast Cancer symptoms 

It is important to check you breasts regularly so you know what’s normal for you. This will make it easier to notice any changes in size, look or feel of your breast. 

Some of these symptoms, including breast lumps, are very common and can be caused by other conditions. 

Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have breast cancer, but it's important to get checked by a GP. 

If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat. 

• a lump, or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit 

• a chance in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling (may look like orange peel) or redness (may be harder to see on black or brown skin) 

• a change in size of shape of 1 or both breasts 

• nipple discharge (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it 

• a change in shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple or a rash on it (may look like eczema) 

• pain in your breast or armpit which does not go away – breast pain that comes and goes is usually not a symptom of breast cancer 

Support the Breast Centre Appeal and Eleri’s fifth marathon  

Eleri ran her fifth and final marathon in Chicago this October, raising money for the Breast Centre appeal in memory and support of all of her patients. The money raised will help fund services for breast cancer patients such as providing special bras for those who have undergone mastectomies and breast reconstruction, physiotherapy sessions for patients pre and post cancer surgery, complementary therapies and much more. 

To donate to Eleri’s Breast Centre Appeal and help her reach her target of £10,000 click here.