Kris on her travels in China before being diagnosed in Feb 09
Kris with her twin sister Maren, big sister Maike and Mum, Jane, at the Pride of Britain Awards
Self proclaimed cancer warrior, Kristin, has created CoppaFeel! as her full-time endeavour. Her campaign allows her to tell her story to young women and spread the word about the importance of feeling your boobies and breast awareness, especially among the younger population, where traditional breast cancer messages are often not targeted.
On 19th February 2009, at the ridiculous age of 23, Kris’ life was flipped upside down when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Until then she was chasing the travel and tourism dream of living an ever better, ever bigger and ever more fabulous life. Now she’s another cancer fighter chasing the dream of becoming a survivor.
Eight months prior to her diagnosis she sought advice from her GP, who dismissed her lumpy painful breast as something “hormonal”. With Evening Primrose Oil in her backpack - recommended by said doctor, she went off on her footloose and fancy free trip to China in search of carefree adventure. The fact that her grandmother had breast cancer at the age of 30 had no bearing on whether perhaps she should be referred. Six months later she returned home knowing she needed an MOT.
The day after touching down she waltzed up to her doctor’s surgery, only to be told that she was “fine”, it’s “hormonal” and “you were examined six months ago weren’t you?” That was her lot. Luckily she has a no-bullshit mother who drove her to make another appointment a week later in order to demand a referral. She literally had to ask for it. The doctor reluctantly agreed. A month later she stared the prospect of a boobless and hairless life right in the face. Not only did she have a 6x9cm tumour in her breast but she also had one sitting comfortably on her spine. She is at stage IV, the most advanced stage of cancer, there is no stage V. What were the doctors waiting for?
People generally think that breast cancer is a disease that affects only mums or grandmas. Definitely not the case. As far as she knows, Kris does not have any children. Aggressive and life threatening breast cancers are affecting the younger generations, Kris included. This misguided view of breast cancer drastically affected her battle with the disease, and she is not the first to be overlooked in such a manner. That is why she feels compelled to do her part to help deliver the message about breast cancer diagnosis/misdiagnosis in younger women. In her case, an eight month earlier detection could have made a life changing/saving difference.
It is her highest hope that because she has chosen to share her story with the world, other young women will learn a potentially life-saving lesson that they too are at risk of breast cancer. Cancer does NOT discriminate! Kris only wishes she had known that she could get it at her young age BEFORE it happened to her. Please, do your part now and help pass this urgent message along.
“I am a 23-year-old travel bug who has anarchist cells. Though I did not apply for the job, I accept my full-time kancerployment. This does not mean that I give up; rather, I have decided once and for all to grab this bitch by the horns, slap it round the head with a block of organic tofu, and devote my life to healing, understanding, and change”
