Inspire 2024 - Janine
“I want to show people that a cancer diagnosis, at whatever time in your life, does not define who you are as a person.”
Janine Edgar, a 44-year old Training Manager from Suffolk, will be taking part in this year’s Royal Parks Half Marathon, presented by Royal Bank of Canada, to raise money for Cancer Research UK after she was diagnosed with a form of ‘silent-killer’ cancer during a scan to reveal the sex of her first child.
Janine, who originally grew up Zimbabwe, explains how her gender reveal, which was meant to be ‘one of the most exciting days of her life’, turned into a disaster after a routine scan revealed she was suffering from bladder cancer, following the discovery of a growth ‘right next to the baby’s head’.
Following a race against time to ensure Janine’s first baby was delivered before the growth in her bladder caused serious harm to either of them, Jonty was born, early but healthy. Unfortunately, Janine was forced to spend the early stages of motherhood undergoing surgery and chemo-washes on her bladder, leaving her ‘sitting in a hospital toilet trying to express milk before the operation’.
After six months, Janine was given the all clear and was delighted to finally enjoy life as a first-time mum, though she was left wondering whether her scary diagnosis really did appear out of nowhere. Janine explains how she ‘actually remembers her symptoms starting at the age of 12’, when she was rushed to hospital after discovering blood in her urine.
Janine continues: “There’s a real problem in Zimbabwe with a water-born disease called ‘Bilharzia’, which is caused by a parasitic worm which finds its way inside you. I’d have been vulnerable to this for sure, which might also be why I suffered with so many urinary tract infections growing up.
I changed doctors so much growing up that nobody was able to pick up on the pattern of my symptoms until it was too late, so I feel lucky to still be here. I’ve also been told there’s a 90% chance of recurrence, so that’s something I must deal with for the rest of my life.”
Janine is now raising money for Cancer Research UK, the world’s leading independent cancer charity, to help fund research whilst spreading the word about the importance of looking for symptoms of bladder cancer’:
“Shortly after my ordeal, I lost my mum to an acute form of acute myloid Leukaemia, so I really do feel responsible for doing whatever I can to tackle this evil disease.”
“Cancer Research UK is doing some of the best work on the planet around targeting the symptoms of bladder cancer, but it’s also up to us to talk about it more.”
“I urge people to get your symptoms checked - there should not be blood in your wee!”
“I don’t want anyone to have to go through what we went through - it was supposed to be the best time of our lives but it was so painful to deal with.”
Since her diagnosis, Janine, together with friend Julia, have set up a women’s running group that has grown to nearly fifty members, including a 71-year-old, to help women of all ages and backgrounds get together to talk about some of the challenges they face day-to-day:
“These women are all queens! All of them have had to overcome hurdles to be here, whether they be mental or physical, so we all love to support each other through whatever we are facing.”
Reflecting on her goals for the future, Janine said:
“I want to show people that a cancer diagnosis, at whatever time in your life, does not define who you are as a person.”
“I’ll never be able to repay the NHS or Cancer Research for saving my life and allowing me to become the mum I always dreamed of, but I’ll raise as much money as I can and do whatever I can to help both for the rest of my life.”
“Jonty always reminds me that they might have missed the growth in my bladder if his head wasn’t in the perfect spot, so I guess he’ll continue to dine out on the fact he’s my knight in shining armour.”
Expressing her excitement for race-day, Janine said:
“Royal Parks Half Marathon is one of the UK’s most scenic half marathons. I love running through the streets of London, as well as the city’s incredible Royal Parks, so it was a no-brainer for me!”
When asked what advice she would give to someone going through something similar, Janine said:
“You are so much tougher than you think and you can overcome whatever life throws at you. Life is for living, so please go out and live it.”
To donate to Janine’s cause, please visit her fundraising page
