BBC journalist Victoria Derbyshire has completed her 10-month treatment for breast cancer, finishing her final radiotherapy session on Wednesday. The 47-year-old, who documented her journey in video diaries, described the moment as 'overwhelming' and expressed hope that her cancer treatment is over for good.
Derbyshire was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2015 and underwent a mastectomy, six sessions of chemotherapy, and 30 doses of radiotherapy. In her latest diary entry, she said: 'It's Wednesday 25 May and I'm done. I'm done. That was my last radiotherapy session. Thirty sessions – five days a week for the last six weeks – and it's finished. Wow, can't believe it.'
During treatment, Derbyshire admitted to experiencing an 'uncharacteristic wobble' halfway through radiotherapy, fearing the cancer might return. She said: 'I never want to go through chemotherapy again, ever. I just want this to have been a blip and get on with my life.'
Radiotherapy was not available at her local hospital, so Derbyshire travelled over 1,000 miles to St Luke's cancer centre at the Royal Surrey NHS County hospital. She highlighted the issue of access to bespoke treatment, noting that 'hundreds and hundreds of patients' face similar challenges.
Derbyshire will now take tamoxifen daily for five to 10 years to reduce the risk of recurrence. Reflecting on her journey, she said: 'On 31 July 2015 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. One mastectomy, six sessions of chemotherapy, 30 doses of radiotherapy later, I feel like this could be a fresh start.'
