“THE Primrose Centre basically saved my life. They have been amazing.”

Those are the words of Alex Shute, who was diagnosed with the relatively rare, and aggressive, triple negative breast cancer at the end of 2019.

While the world dealt with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Alex, 47, spent 2020 undergoing chemotherapy and major surgery, much of which she had to face alone due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Alex (pictured right), a mum of three, is incredibly grateful to the Primrose Breast Care Centre in Plymouth, both for the rapid treatment she received after diagnosis, and for the support along the whole way.

“Primrose basically saved my life, because if I hadn’t actually had the treatment as quickly as I did, it might have spread and things might have been very different,” she said. “They see you through everything from referral, right through to after-care. I don’t know how many other places there are in the UK that have got a dedicated breast cancer centre.”

Alex, who lives near Liskeard, was able to have husband Clive with her during her first three rounds of chemotherapy, but after that, she had to go in on her own, for both the remainder of her chemo and her surgery.

“It’s really frightening. But when you see the same people there every time, it helps.

“The care from Primrose staff during and after is just amazing.

“It takes some of the stress and anxiety out of the cancer diagnosis and treatment.

“They make time to give personal, one-to- one care in a time when they are so busy just catching up with routine mammograms.

“After you come home and have had your treatment, you are still connected with the centre. You can ring, and they will ring you back or get your specialist nurse to call you. They put your mind at ease.”

Earlier this year, having been given the all-clear, Alex decided she wanted to give something back to the Primrose Foundation in its 25th year.

While she had not gone out on a run since October 2019, and had never run more than 5k, Alex decided to run a marathon during the month of February.

“The first time I went out I was really nervous, I wasn’t even sure I COULD run. But I had done a lot of walking, I wanted to stay healthy and get my fitness back, so I had walked 100 miles in January,” she said.

“I tested the water just running a mile, then a mile and a half, my daughter and my sister ran with me on occasion. I wanted to end it on something that was a challenge for me, so the final run was the longest, at 5k.

“There were nine of us running it together virtually and we al joined through our headphones. They all ran to get me through the 5k, talking to me as I did it, and Clive put up a finishing line to mark the end of the marathon.

“I think it was knowing that people were donating for the team of people that had helped me that kept me going, and knowing that the money would help another lady. And the adrenalin too!”

Alex has raised more than £2100 for the Primrose Foundation with her marathon run, as well as another £700 through sweepstakes on Bake Off, Strictly, and I’m a celebrity.

Madeleine Matthews, fundraising coordinator for The Primrose Foundation, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to meet Alex and some of her family. I first met Alex shortly after her diagnosis, and even at that stage of treatment she was determined to fundraise for us.

“Alex is like a lot of people, she had not heard about The Primrose Foundation and all the great work we do until she was diagnosed with breast cancer and was treated at The Primrose Breast care centre. This is because we ensure our marketing budget is kept low to ensure the monies donated goes directly into Breast Care services at University Hospitals Plymouth.”

The Primrose Foundation grew from an original appeal that was set up to shape the breast care service at University Hospitals Plymouth. The purpose was to provide a rapid access service for women (and men) who were referred with symptomatic or suspected signs of breast cancer. The appeal was a huge success enabling the Primrose breast care centre to open its doors in 2001.

25 years later the Foundation has contributed over £1.2 million into local breast care services, and owe its success to the many people that have supported and donated over the years and continue to do so.

Anyone who would like to donate to Alex and support the Primrose Foundation should visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alex-shute