Michelle Keeling, 54, from Stebbing near Chelmsford, has captured her breast cancer journey in a poem dedicated to the surgeon who treated her at Broomfield Hospital. She hopes sharing her experience during Breast Cancer Awareness Month will help others facing a diagnosis.
After a routine mammogram in March 2025 came back clear, Michelle discovered a painful lump weeks later. Referred to Broomfield Hospital, Breast Consultant Sascha Dua confirmed she had cancer. "I had so much fear sweep over me. Sascha held my face in her hands and told me she would take care of me. Although I was scared, she gave me confidence to believe I could get through this," Michelle said.
Biopsies confirmed triple-negative breast cancer. Michelle underwent surgery to remove the cancer while preserving her breast, followed by seven months of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, completing treatment in September. During her recovery, she wrote a poem for Sascha, who featured in the Channel 5 documentary The Surgeon.
“"This poem was the most incredible gift and it touched my heart. I don’t often cry with a patient, but we were both in floods of tears."
The poem, which Michelle also read on Sascha's Instagram, helped her process her experience and aided her recovery. Sascha described the poem as "the most incredible gift" that touched her heart, leading to an emotional moment for both.
Michelle is encouraging others to seek medical advice if they have persistent symptoms, even after a clear mammogram. "Even if you have had a mammogram and it said it was okay, if you still have symptoms, don’t ignore it. Go back to your GP and get another check-up. Your life may depend on it. And if you’re really lucky, you’ll get a consultant surgeon like Sascha to look after you while you go through your treatment," she urged.
