Woman left devastated after breast lump sends her on 'whirlwind' cancer journey
Carol Butterly, 69, from Glasgow in Scotland, found a cancerous lump on her breast on the day after Valentine's Day this year before a 'whirlwind' journey from diagnosis to surgery
A woman's life has been turned upside down after she found a cancerous lump earlier this year.
Carol Butterly, from Glasgow, discovered the tumour when she sat down after a shower on the day after Valentine's Day, 2025. Asking for her husband's opinion, he advised her to book an appointment as soon as possible and she was seen the following day.
Speaking to Glasgow Live, the 69-year-old said: "I’d just come out the shower and sat down in my chair when I felt a lump. I asked my partner if he thought it felt right, and he said I should make an appointment. I phoned the doctor straight away and was seen the next day. Things moved so fast after that – mammogram, biopsy, surgery. It was a whirlwind."
Medics initially thought she would only need to have the lump removed, but additional tests showed another - meaning she needed to undergo the gruelling full mastectomy process, the Record reports. However, despite the devastating diagnosis, Carol’s positivity and sense of humour have remained constant and helped her get through the tough moment in her life.
She said: "I’ve always tried to keep my sense of humour. My friends couldn’t believe how upbeat I was when they came to visit – they were expecting to find me in bed, but I was up, chatting away. I just kept myself going. You’ve got to.”
Carol has continued her treatment with medication and regular check-ups and is now feeling great. She added, "I’m feeling great now, thank goodness. I just take each day as it comes and keep moving forward.” Throughout her diagnosis and treatment, Beatson Cancer Charity has played a huge part in supporting her.
“The Beatson means everything. The care you get there is excellent – everyone is so kind," she added. "You meet people who are going through the same thing and there are no strangers, you just all click together.
"They make you feel like you’re part of something special.” This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the 69-year-old is urging others to check themselves regularly and seek help early. She has channelled her experience into helping others by writing a book about her story, titled Didn’t Expect That, Did You. All proceeds from the book are being donated to the Beatson Cancer Charity.
Carol added, “It’s cancer. Until somebody says those words to you personally, you have no idea how it will affect you, both at that point and in the future.
"This is the story of my journey with breast cancer, from diagnosis to surgery, through the sad, the bad, and the funny times. If you are reading this because you or a family member or friend is going through their own experience with cancer, I hope my story is able to help you.
“If my story helps even a few people, that means the world to me. There are so many people in my family who’ve been through cancer, so if sharing what I went through helps anyone, I’m delighted. And if it raises money for the Beatson, even better.”
Her message this Breast Cancer Awareness Month is simple but powerful: “Please check yourself. Even if you’re not sure, get it looked at. It’s much better to find something early. And keep positive – don’t let appointments run your life. Fit them into your life, and keep living.”
Chloe Coghill, Community Fundraiser at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “We’re so grateful to Carol for sharing her story and for choosing to donate all proceeds from her book to Beatson Cancer Charity.