Birmingham mum finds breast cancer after routine health check

A Birmingham mother of four discovers breast cancer following a routine hormone check that she initially thought was hormonal.

Birmingham mum finds breast cancer after routine health check

A Birmingham teaching assistant and mother of four, Charli Spoerer, noticed a slight puckering on the skin around her breast during a routine hormone check. She dismissed it as hormonal and delayed seeking care. An urgent referral led to the discovery of a lump the size of a Malteser behind her nipple, surrounded by a 5 cm layer of pre-cancerous cells. The tumor measured 1.9 cm.

She had a lumpectomy in September and later learned the cancer had not spread to lymph nodes, but the surrounding tissue contained 5 cm of pre-cancerous cells. To reduce future risk, she chose a mastectomy in January. She is now cancer-free and will take part in Cancer Research UK's Shine Night Walk on September 5 in Birmingham to raise funds. The event starts at Centenary Square at 7:20 pm and leads participants through the city in a neon-lit procession.

Charli’s story highlights how easily early warning signs can be mistaken for less serious changes. It shows the value of prompt referrals and careful imaging after routine checks. It also underlines a patient’s role in treatment choices when doctors outline options like removing just the affected tissue versus a full mastectomy. The Shine Night Walk turns a personal health crisis into a public call for funding research, turning hope into action. This kind of community response can speed up better treatments and more support for families facing cancer.

Highlights

Charli’s story shows how courage and community can turn a difficult moment into progress.