Breakfast show backs hereditary cancer awareness

BBC Radio Derby is launching a campaign to help listeners understand inherited cancer risks and encourage earlier action.

The station’s new initiative, called It Starts With You, is being led by Breakfast presenter Becky Measures, whose own family experience has shaped the project.

Twenty years ago, Becky became the youngest person in the UK to choose preventative double mastectomy surgery after discovering she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation, which significantly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Her decision followed similar surgery undertaken by her mother after nine of 12 family members were diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. Neither Becky nor her mother had cancer when they underwent their operations.

Speaking about the campaign, Becky said: “This campaign is incredibly personal to me. My family’s experience changed my life, and I know how frightening and confusing it can be to face decisions like these.”

She added: “We are three generations of women alive because of what we did. If sharing my story encourages even one person to find out more about their risk or seek advice earlier, then it’s worth it.”

As part of the campaign, BBC Radio Derby will introduce “Feel Yourself Fridays” to encourage regular self checks, alongside roadshows across the region aimed at raising awareness of hereditary cancers and the importance of understanding family medical history.

BBC Radio Derby Executive Producer Rachael Gilchrist said many people remain unaware they may carry an inherited cancer risk, adding that greater awareness can help cancers be identified earlier.

The campaign launches on BBC Radio Derby Breakfast with Becky Measures from 6am on Friday 10 July.