Warwick teacher diagnosed with breast cancer twice says new Leamington radiotherapy centre will be life changing

Mum of two Louise Roberts, 52, recently received chemotherapy and surgery at Nuffield Health Warwickshire Hospital in Leamington for breast cancer, but had to travel across Birmingham to Sutton Coldfield for radiotherapy treatment.

It was her second cancer diagnosis - she was treated for breast cancer in 2017 and then went through a second mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy when a routine mammogram in May 2025, revealed a second, completely different type of cancer in her remaining breast.

The treatment was tougher the second time around and her journey for radiotherapy was draining.

She said: “The last thing anyone wants to face is a series of exhausting journeys. It’s about an hour each way and takes such a big chunk out of your day.

" I was still very sore from surgery, and the fatigue was unbelievable at times.

“They sent a driver for me as I was treated using my husband’s BUPA, and I honestly don’t think I could have driven myself there.

"Having radiotherapy on site at Nuffield Health Warwickshire will make an enormous difference to patients and their friends and families.

Now preparing to return to teaching after almost a year away, Louise hopes sharing her experience will encourage others facing cancer treatment to stay hopeful.

And she is delighted that Nuffield Warwick will soon offer radiotherapy through a partnership between Nuffield Health and Icon Group.

Louise said: “It will make life easier for those [who live locally] having treatment.

"To them, I say, take one step at a time and keep believing you’ll get through it.

"Listen to your body, be kind to yourself and try to keep living your life.

"And always look for the happy bits.”

Despite the physical and emotional toll, Louise became determined to stay positive throughout her treatment.

Every day, she posted something she called her “happy bits” on Facebook - a small positive moment from her day, no matter how difficult things felt.

Throughout both cancer diagnoses, Louise said the support she received from staff at Nuffield Health Warwickshire Hospital was extraordinary.

“I felt completely looked after,” she said.

“Everybody knew me.

"Even the receptionists knew my name.

"I never dreaded going because it was like seeing friends.

"It honestly felt like a safe place.”

At the end of treatment, Louise noticed the hospital didn’t have a bell like many other cancer wards, so she donated one.

She said: “I also gave them a milestone plaque, because some people don’t ever finish their treatment.”

Before starting chemotherapy for the second time, nurses invited Louise’s teenage daughters in to show them where their mum would be treated and explain what the process involved.

Louise said: “That meant so much to us.

"They wanted the girls to feel included and understand what was happening.

"It made a frightening situation feel less scary for them.”

Louise’s latest treatment was successful and scans showed the tumour had completely responded to chemotherapy before surgery.

She said: “When they told me the tumour had gone completely, it was the best feeling.

“I felt like I’d got my life back.”