Norfolk's 10k Cancer Challenge

A Norfolk mum who beat breast cancer is challenging men and women across the region to help beat the disease by entering Cancer Research UK’s Run 10k.

Anna Beckingham was diagnosed with a type of breast cancer called ductal cell carcinoma in situ in March 2007, after more than 18 months of investigations into what doctors believed was a ‘hormonal’ lump in her breast.

Luckily, the cancer had not spread and Anna underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction at Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.

As well as founding her own charity group ‘Keeping Abreast’, which helps women undergoing or contemplating breast reconstruction following mastectomy, Anna was keen to raise money for Cancer Research UK and last year took part in the charity’s Run 10k at Sandringham.

This year she is keen to encourage others to help beat cancer by signing up for Cancer Research UK’s new Run 10k at Norfolk Showground on Sunday 10^th of October.

Anna said: “I am one of the lucky ones. Despite a slow diagnosis, my cancer was caught before it had spread, and I received fantastic treatment at Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.

“In the last decade there have been major advances in research which have saved thousands of lives. I set myself the challenge of running 10k because I wanted to help Cancer Research UK save many more lives over the next ten years.

“Seeing my children’s faces as I crossed the finishing line was quite an emotional moment for me, as I know how lucky I am to still be here for them.

Every two minutes someone is diagnosed with cancer in the UK.  Around 26,510 people in the East of England are told they have the disease every year.

Run 10k will take place in Norwich for the first time on Sunday, October 10th and organisers are hoping 1,600 people will take part and help raise £78,500.

Cancer Research UK funds world-class research and clinical trials throughout East Anglia. For example, in Norwich, people with a type of leukaemia can take part in a study to find the most effective treatment for the disease. This important trial will test several new drugs in combination with the usual chemotherapy. Clinical trials like this are vital so that we can find new and better ways to treat cancer and help save more lives in the future.”