Giving hope to those affected
by secondary breast cancer
Research. Support. Education.
Giving hope to those affected
by secondary breast cancer
For many, Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate love, strength, and the unbreakable bond between mothers and their children. For Alex Moore (47) and her mum, Geri Cannon (74), this bond has taken on an even deeper meaning as they both navigate life with Secondary Breast Cancer (SBC) at the same time.
Alex, from Essex, lives with her husband Ben and their two sons, Max (18) and Jayden (14). She has always been very close to her mum, Geri, who lives just 20 minutes away.
Alex was first diagnosed with breast cancer at 38. After undergoing treatment, she hoped she had left cancer behind. However, during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, she started experiencing persistent back pain, which she initially attributed to home workouts. As the pain worsened, doctors suspected sciatica, but in early 2022, her condition deteriorated drastically. She ended up in A&E just a week before a scheduled MRI, unable to move due to the excruciating pain.
The MRI revealed the news that her breast cancer had returned and spread to three places in her spine, with one tumour so large it had fractured a vertebra. Despite the immense pain, Alex had unknowingly been walking around with a broken back. She underwent complex surgeries, including one that nearly cost her life when she lost three litres of blood. The procedure had to be abandoned, leaving her immobile until doctors could safely complete it a month later. During this time, she developed a blood clot in her lung, adding another layer of complications.
Following months in the hospital, Alex had to learn to walk again with intense physiotherapy and the support of a live-in carer. Today, she relies on mobility aids, including a walking stick and a scooter, to navigate daily life. Despite the physical challenges, she maintains a fiercely independent spirit, driving a specially adapted car and remaining actively involved in her community.
Alex had always been aware of breast cancer, as her maternal grandmother had breast cancer twice, at 38 and 44. Although she lived until her late 70s, it wasn’t until she passed away that the family learned her official cause of death was Secondary Breast Cancer. This history made Alex vigilant about checking for lumps, and after her primary diagnosis, she educated herself on the risks of recurrence.
Throughout her journey, Alex found immense support in Make 2nds Count (M2C). She discovered a wealth of knowledge through the Facebook group, where she connects with others facing the same challenges. She also formed a WhatsApp group with local women she met through M2C, which eventually led to the creation ofMake 2nds Count Chelmsford Tea & Chat group—a regular meet-up for local people living with SBC which she co-hosts with another local patient. The WhatsApp group now has over 45 members and their in person Tea & Chat sessions are so large they recently had to move to a new venue!
Alex attended the M2C Summit in Liverpool with her husband, Ben, and found it both informative and supportive, helping him better understand her condition. As an ambassador for M2C, Alex is passionate about spreading awareness and supporting others in the SBC community. While Alex actively participates in M2C’s services, her mum, Geri, is more private and primarily connects with others through the M2C Facebook group.
While Alex was undergoing chemotherapy for her primary breast cancer, her mother, Geri, was diagnosed with the disease in 2017. She had a lumpectomy and hoped that was the end of it. However, seven years later, she found another lump in the same breast. Doctors initially planned a mastectomy, but further scans revealed secondary cancer had already spread to her spine, hip, shoulder, and both lungs. This meant surgery was no longer an option.
In early 2025, after delays due to her Crohn’s disease, Geri started treatment with targeted therapies and infusions. Fortunately, she is tolerating the medication well. Despite her diagnosis, she continues to care for her husband, John, who recently underwent heart valve replacement surgery at 78.
Geri hadn’t known much about SBC until Alex’s diagnosis, but now, mother and daughter find themselves facing the same reality. They lean on each other for support, sharing their experiences, treatments, and the emotional toll that comes with living with an incurable illness.
Geri finds the M2C Facebook group particularly helpful, especially as she is on a different treatment plan than Alex. She can read what others with ER+ SBC are experiencing and learn more about her medication. She has also attended a Tea and Chat session that Alex co hosts, where they had a talk from the Trials Nurse, providing valuable information on the latest treatments.
For Alex and Geri, this journey isn’t just about managing their own health—it’s about lifting each other up. Their relationship has always been close, but now they see each other more than ever, offering both emotional and practical support.
Alex, despite her mobility challenges, drives her parents to their hospital appointments. Geri helps Alex with tasks she can no longer manage due to nerve damage and mobility issues. Their weekly family dinners have become even more meaningful, and they make the most of their time together, whether it’s holidaying in Suffolk or simply sharing moments of laughter and love.
"It's not the club we wanted to be in," says Geri, "but we keep going, together."
Despite their diagnoses, they remain determined to live as fully as possible. Alex continues her advocacy work with Make 2nds Count, creating safe spaces for others battling SBC. Geri, though more private, finds comfort in the Make 2nds Count Facebook group, where she connects with others on similar treatment plans.
Both Alex and Geri want others facing SBC to know that life can still be rich and fulfilling. Alex encourages those newly diagnosed to find a support network, as the early days can feel overwhelming. She believes that with time, things become less frightening, and a positive mindset can make a significant difference.
Geri’s advice is to maintain as much normalcy as possible, keep a routine, and focus on the joys in life. She finds strength in simple pleasures—meeting friends for lunch, enjoying walks, and spending time with family.
This Mother’s Day, their story is a powerful reminder of resilience, love, and the strength found in facing life’s toughest battles together.
Donate