Cancer survivor loses 8 stone in 7 months and wins Slimming World crown
Filed under: Diet
Share
Text Size
A
A
A
PA
Emma's achievement - she lost eight stone and seven dress sizes in just seven months - is even more amazing when you consider she was only given the all clear from cancer last year.
The 20-year-old was told in the summer of 2010 that she had Hodgkin's lymphoma and needed to undergo chemotherapy treatment.
After she was told last year that the disease was in remission, she decided to visit her local Slimming World in Alfreton in Nottinghamshire.
Emma explained to the Daily Mail: "Having Hodgkin's lymphoma made me realise how important life is and not to take things like your health for granted."
PA
She weighed more than 18 stone when she discovered a lump in her neck and went to the doctor.
After a biopsy and 12 chemo sessions, Emma was pleased when doctors told her she did not require further treatment.
She explained why she wanted to tackle her weight issues: "I never tried any diets because I didn't believe they'd work for me and I thought I'd always be big."
"My auntie was going to Slimming World and every time I saw her she looked better and better. Now I've lost weight I feel so much fitter and healthier and I don't get out of breath any more - even when I go jogging."
She added: "I lost 4lb in my first week and that's when I knew I could really do it, because I realised I could lose weight without feeling like I was missing out on the things I like."
Let us know what you think about Emma's weight loss below...
And read on for tips on breast cancer risk factors you can control.
- Drinking alcohol<p> Drinking alcohol elevates oestrogen levels, and studies have found that cancer risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. </p>
- Smoking<p> While studies haven't shown any direct link between smoking and increased risk of breast cancer, secondhand smoke may be linked to a higher incidence of breast cancer. Considering how harmful smoking is for other reasons, part of a healthy lifestyle involves stubbing out. </p>
- Birth control pills<p> Studies have shown that women taking birth control pills have a slightly elevated risk of developing breast cancer, which is also related to how many years you take the pill for and when you started. Evidence suggests that 10 or more years after women stop taking oral contraceptives, their risk of developing breast cancer returns to the same level as if they had never used birth control pills at all. </p>
- Exercise<p> Studies have found that exercise helps to reduce breast cancer risk. Combine regular exercise with a healthy diet and low intake of saturated fat and alcohol for maximum benefit.</p>
- Red meat and a high-fat diet<p> A diet low in saturated fats which restricts red meat and other animal fats and is rich in veg and whole grains is recommended. Some studies have found an increased risk between red meat and breast cancer. Synthetic hormones used in the meat are thought to be responsible.</p>
- Breasfeeding<p> Studies have suggested that breastfeeding may lower a woman's risk of breast cancer. It's unclear exactly why, but it is thought that women's oestrogen levels remain stable when breastfeeding since they do not ovulate as regularly.</p>
- Say 'no' to long-term HRT<p> Hormone replacement therapy (a combination of oestrogen and progesterone) - used to replace female hormones to treat symptoms of the menopause and prevent osteoporosis - has been linked to increased breast cancer risk. Oestrogen treatment alone, when used for less than 10 years, does not seem to elevate risk, however.</p>
- Being overweight/obese<p> Being overweight or obese is linked to higher rates of breast cancer, particularly in post-menopausal women. Excess abdominal fat is something to watch out for in particular since it raises oestrogen levels and a woman's lifetime oestrogen exposure is directly related to her breast cancer risk. </p>
Be a fan of Lifestyle on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter! | Sign up to our newsletter
