King’s patients and staff boost breast cancer awareness
06 October 2025 - During Breast Cancer Awareness month, staff and patients with breast cancer are urging women to keep the condition on their radar.
Monika Grzesiak, Child Health Governance Manager at King’s College Hospital, discovered she was a carrier for the gene mutation PALB2, and was at high risk of developing breast cancer after she underwent genetic testing at the age of 40. She explained: “My mother was found to carry a PALB2 gene mutation after undergoing a random genetic screening test. At that time, two of her younger sisters had already been diagnosed with and survived breast cancer. Given this history, I suspected breast cancer might run in the family and decided to undergo a genetic screening testing for myself. It was confirmed that I was a carrier for PALB2, and I knew I was at very high risk of developing breast cancer. It was such a worrying time, but I was soon in the care of the amazing breast radiology team at King’s.
“After 10 years of regular screening appointments, I took the decision to have risk-reducing breast surgery in 2024. For a decade, I had lived with the threat of breast cancer hanging over me, impacting my life choices, and I just wanted to live my life. Making the decision to have a double mastectomy was scary, but I knew it was the best decision for me and my family.
“The moment I was told my surgery had reduced my risk of breast cancer by 95% was empowering. There is a real power in knowing your risks for these conditions and being able to make informed choices, wherever possible. I feel so very lucky to have had that genetic testing, and the treatment I needed, and I am happy to be able to focus on my future with my husband, son and daughter.”
“I strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of the screening appointments you are offered. The screening procedures are painless, perhaps slightly uncomfortable, but they can detect problems at an early stage and ultimately save lives.”
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in England, and October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important reminder to be aware of its risk factors and early warning signs.
Jo Elliot, 63, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, six months after a mammogram found no signs of the disease. She explained: “My diagnosis was a complete bolt out of the blue. I wasn’t sure if a lump in my breast was something I should be too worried about following my clear mammogram, but I was confident that if it turned out to be cancer, it would be caught very early. I am so thankful I trusted my instincts and went to see my GP. I discovered that in the time since my screening, I had developed a very aggressive form of breast cancer. It was scary and quite daunting, but I had exceptional treatment from the team at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH), and I count myself as one of the lucky ones.
“I was supported by the wonderful oncology nurses at the hospital, and went on to meet two fellow breast cancer patients, Elaine and Jan, who are now close friends. As part of our recovery, we recently completed a 14-mile charity hike to give something back. I’m so grateful to be here and to be able to take on challenges like this – if I hadn’t spotted that lump, things might have been so different.”
Dr Juliet Morel, Consultant Radiologist and Director of Screening at King’s, said: “Regular breast screening is one of the best ways to spot cancer, saving around 1,300 lives each year in the UK. And as Monika and Jo have both shown, knowing whether your family history puts you at increased risk of breast cancer, and checking your breast regularly for any changes can also be a lifesaver.”
For more information about breast screening services at King’s, visit the South East London Breast Screening Service