Grandmother faces cancer three times, stays positive

Kirsty Priest, a 53-year-old grandmother from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, England, has battled cancer three times in 15 years.

She first received a stage three breast cancer diagnosis at age 38 while raising two children, including a son with autism. She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and eventually went into remission. Ten years later, Kirsty discovered another cancerous lump, leading to a second mastectomy and further treatment.

During this time, doctors identified a CHEK2 gene mutation, which doubles a person’s risk of breast cancer, meaning she would require ongoing monitoring and treatment. Despite this, Kirsty chose to focus on a positive outlook and began fundraising for the hospital that treated her. Earlier this year, Kirsty was diagnosed with a brain tumour. After successful removal of the tumour, she learned the breast cancer had returned and is now stage four.

Doctors believe cancer cells may be circulating in her body, and she is receiving Herceptin injections and chemotherapy to control the disease. Kirsty continues to maintain a positive attitude and is planning a charity fundraising night with friends and DJs to support the hospitals involved in her care.