A personal trainer has opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis at a young age.
Known as olympiafitnesspt on TikTok, Nichol has been sharing her journey through candid videos, aiming to highlight certain symptoms that are less well-known. Many people regularly check their breasts for lumps, however, it was a different symptom that signaled something was amiss for Nichol.
She experienced what she terms “non-obvious” signs and is keen to increase awareness so other women are mindful of these symptoms. Using her platform to promote health education, Nichol’s vigilance was key in detecting her cancer, as she sensed that something wasn’t right with her body.
Please be aware that the video below may contain language that some find offensive
Nichol shared: “So one day I woke up with like stains on my T-shirt. Like, red blood stains, and I was like ‘this is a bit weird’. I initially just thought it was an infection.
“I’m a personal trainer, and I gym a lot, I was like ‘it might just be an infection’. There was no lump or anything like that. After a while of it continuing, I decided to book a doctor’s appointment where I got seen within a few days, and the GP had a look at it.”
She revealed that the doctor had offered her antibiotics, but also suggested a referral to the breast clinic for further checks. She opted for the referral, with the doctor agreeing it was a wise decision given the potential symptom of breast cancer.
Nichol didn’t have to wait long for her appointment, being seen within a fortnight. During her examination, a sample of the discharge was taken and sent off for lab analysis.
While awaiting the results, she noticed another change in her breast – an “area of hardness”. It wasn’t a lump, but one side of her breast began to feel unusually “hard”.
Nichol emphasised that her intention in making the video was not to scare anyone, but rather to raise awareness. Her symptoms were not those typically associated with the disease, hence her belief in the importance of discussing them.
Since posting the video, it has been viewed by hundreds and received several comments. Viewers thanked her for sharing her experience and sent their well wishes.
One person commented: “Sending so much love and prayers.” Another added: “Strongest person I know. Love you so much.”
A third responded: “Sending lots of love. So sorry to hear this.”
Stage 0 breast cancer is the earliest stage of the disease, and its grading indicates that it has not spread. If detected early, it’s usually “highly treatable”.
The NHS lists the symptoms of breast cancer as follows:
- A lump, or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit
- Change in the skin of the breast, such as dimpling. It can look red or almost like an orange peel
- Change in size or shape of one or both breasts
- Nipple discharge, which may contain blood
- Changes to the nipple, such as it turning inwards or developing a rash
- Pain in the breast or armpit which does not go away