‘Amazing support by my best friend helped me beat breast cancer’

A breast cancer victim is giving much of the credit for her survival to her best friend.

Caroline Bunning feared she would die, but will celebrate her 40th birthday next month after successful chemotherapy and radio-therapy treatment.
She said: “I never thought that I would want to celebrate my 40th, but bring it on!”

Best friends’ hug: Jackie (left) and Caroline just after their simultaneous headshaves.

Caroline insists that she owes a huge debt of gratitude to Jackie Mitchell, who, as a show of support, shaved her head before Caroline’s hair-losing chemotherapy began – and kept it that way until good news on the outcome.
“Jackie has been absolutely amazing, I don’t know how I would have done it without her,” said Caroline.
“She was in tears when I told her [I had breast cancer] and said ‘I can’t do anything for you but I can shave my hair’.
“She refused to let it grow back until my treatment was over.
“I had to go through it; Jackie didn’t.”

Caroline had her head shaved at the same time as Jackie – May 27 last year – but lost more hair as a result of the treatment.
The pair’s fundraising from the shaves will see £5,000 go to Breast Cancer Care.

Caroline’s friendship with Jackie began when they met in Holbeach about 12 years ago.
Their bond grew quickly and reached a peak after Caroline, of Beetley in Norfolk, felt an itch on one of her breasts and discovered a pea-sized lump last February.
It was found to be an aggressive form of cancer and she underwent a lumpectomy to have it removed last April.

Now the treatment is over, Caroline is planning a big bash for her landmark birthday – and will never take life for granted.
“It’s true that your life flashes before you,” she said. “I can remember driving home after getting the news and looking at the sun and sky and thinking ‘oh my god’.
“Every birthday is going to be a 40th from now on!”

And Caroline’s episode has also had a profound and lasting effect on Jackie, of Surfleet.
She said: “Caz’s attitude and fight against cancer has certainly empowered me.
“We tend to get caught up in the rat race of life and forget what is really important but this whole ordeal has reminded me of how I wish to live my life, and that’s with good friends and family by my side and a smile on my face, and I have Caz to thank for this realisation.”
“She’s the most caring, kindest and loyal friend anyone could wish for.”