She was first diagnosed in April 2021 after an appointment.
Christine Campbell was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in April 2021 after a gynaecological appointment
A Belfast woman living with cancer says she is holding on to hope, even on the darkest days.
Christine Campbell from Dundonald was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in April 2021 after a gynaecological appointment. She is still living with disease but it’s currently stable and there are no new tumours.
She shared her story to mark World Cancer Day 2026 this Wednesday as Macmillan Cancer Support reveals just how common cancer has now become, with nearly 1,200 people diagnosed every day on average.
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In the 75 seconds it takes to make a cup of tea, put a load of washing on, or water the plants, at least one person in the UK will get the news they have cancer.
Christine said: “When they told me I had cancer the feeling that I had was I was looking down on myself, they were talking about someone else and that it wasn’t happening to me. I was really shocked and in denial. Other family members had had cancer diagnosis, but nothing gynae related.
“My first thoughts were how their end of life had played out and they had not had good experiences. Would it be the same for me?”
Thankfully, a Macmillan nurse was in the room with Christine at the time and sat and spoke to her afterwards: “She gave me information that I hadn’t taken in at the time. The most powerful thing she said to me was ‘hold on to hope’.
“This has stuck with me, and I often get great comfort from this thought, and I repeat it regularly to other people who I speak to with ovarian cancer. Even on the darkest days you have to hold on to an element of hope and those words have seen me through even the darkest days.”
Cancer diagnoses are happening in every community across the UK and can depend on where you live, when you need help, and the type of cancer you have. Macmillan says accessible, quality cancer care for everyone has never been more urgent, yet many are navigating a confusing and overwhelming system.
The numbers of people living with cancer in Northern Ireland is on the rise. Macmillan has urged the Northern Ireland Executive to prioritise cancer through actions that support the implementation of the Cancer Strategy and Health and Social Care Reset Plan.
This World Cancer Day, Macmillan has joined forces with well-known figures – including Adele Roberts, Al Murray, Amy Dowden, Charlene White, Colin McFarlane, Davina McCall, and Victoria Derbyshire – in a powerful new 75-second long film.
Together, the celebrities speak candidly about the current state of cancer care, and the vital work Macmillan is doing to revolutionise the future of support for people living with cancer.
Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “A cancer diagnosis can feel like a wave crashing over you – and someone in the UK now faces that moment at least every 75 seconds.
“But how that news lands, and the care and treatment you receive, won’t be the same as the person diagnosed just before you, or just after you. There’s still a clear gap between the best and worst cancer care. Yet whoever you are, and wherever you live, you deserve the best chance of surviving and getting excellent support.
“At Macmillan, we know the scale of the challenge. We are dedicated to making cancer care fairer, for everyone, everywhere. A call, a message, a click – we’re there for what happens next. Every 75 seconds.”
For information, support or just someone to talk to, call Macmillan’s free, confidential support line 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk.
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