Race for Life: York breast cancer survivor who had no symptoms before diagnosis signs up to Knavesmire event

“I work for myself, I’m self-employed and I work all over the country and very often I’m away,” she says.

“When I got the appointment time through, it was in a week when I was actually working from home, so I thought I would go.

“To be honest with you, had I been away I probably wouldn’t have cancelled work to go. Bearing in mind I didn’t feel a lump, there was no discharge, nothing. To all intents and purposes, I was healthy. I went away on holiday and when I came back there was a letter.”

The letter was an invitation for a follow-up mammogram at York Hospital. Even then Gayle, who has played tennis for the north of England and is a part-time tennis coach, wasn’t unduly alarmed.

But during her appointment, once she’d had two further two mammograms, an ultrasound and a biopsy, Gayle became aware that the waiting room was gradually emptying as patients were told they were fine and could leave.

“By 12.30pm there were just myself and another lady in the waiting toom and we were both diagnosed with cancer.”

A breast cancer nurse told Gayle she had a grade 2 tumour which was growing quite fast.

“Suddenly I felt the tears pricking the back of my eyes. The first thing I said to her was I’ve not got time for this, I’m self-employed and I’m going through a divorce,” says Gayle.

“Racing through my mind was that I was going to have to have an operation, I’m self-employed and I don’t get sick pay.”

Following her diagnosis and successful treatment, Gayle, 54, knows exactly how vital it is to raise funds for life-saving research.  That’s why Gayle and her sons, Emilio, 29, and Gabriel, 18, are looking forward to completing the Race for Life Pretty Muddy obstacle course together at York Racecourse on Sunday, July 2.

Gayle, who is cancer free, is hoping to encourage people of all ages and abilities to join them and sign up to their local event.

Every year, around 32,500 people are diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire and the Humber, says Cancer Research UK, and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime.  

Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to explore new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

Gayle says: “I’m proud to Race for Life to raise funds for vital research for people like me.

“When I look back, I think that I might not have gone for the mammogram for another year, by which time it might have been too late.

“When people say you were unlucky to get cancer, I always say I was lucky for them to find it. Although mine was quick growing, I was lucky it was caught early.

“We all have a reason to Race for Life. For me it was my boys who kept me going – I thought they need their mum.”

After her diagnosis in 2019, Gayle, who works with legal firms on risk and compliance and is a business consultant with estate agents, underwent a lumpectomy and radiotherapy.

Her parents, sons and friends rallied round, especially after she had to have a second operation, which was to ensure that a sufficient margin of tissue had been taken from around the lump. She went through the experience while also going coping with the menopause and a divorce.

“On the day before that second operation, I was in court for my divorce,” she said. “I was sat in court thinking, tomorrow I’m going to be on the operating table.”

Since her diagnosis, she has supported Cancer Research UK by taking part in Race for Life and other events.

She’s appeared in a charity fashion show, modelling in the lingerie and swimwear section, when she danced to Club Tropicana by Wham!

Gayle continues to take medication and has regular mammograms.

The Race for Life events at The Knavesmire, York Racecourse, take place on Sunday, July 2. Women, men and children can choose from 5k and 10k events. There is also the Pretty Muddy obstacle course and a Pretty Muddy Kids option. To enter, visit raceforlife.org