Young Torbay cancer patient raises thousands for chemotherapy support treatment

A young Torbay woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 22 has raised more than £2,000 to help fund a specialist treatment for chemotherapy patients.

Hannah Shoudjae has so far raised £2,040 of a £2,400 target, with 152 donations, to help provide Polybalm to patients undergoing chemotherapy at Torbay Hospital.

Hannah said her diagnosis came as a “massive shock” and one of her biggest fears was losing her nails during treatment.

“As you can imagine it was a massive shock, and one of the things I was most scared for was if I was going to lose my nails,” she said.

“My oncologist had mentioned something called Polybalm to me, which wasn’t being provided by the NHS as it was too expensive to source."

“Polybalm is a balm that you put on your fingernails and toenails that you rub into the cuticles and it is meant to prevent your nails from lifting or falling off. You are meant to use it 3 times a day religiously,” Hannah said.

She said her breast care team went beyond expectations to help her access the product.

“My breast care team had gone above and beyond and used their charitable funds to get Polybalm. I was entitled to 2 boxes of it, and I was one of the first patients to ever be given it in my breast care unit,” she said.

Hannah said Polybalm is now being rolled out more widely.

“They are now enrolling it across the whole breast care unit at Torbay hospital, which is amazing,” she said.

She added, “Since I have been using Polybalm my nails are looking outstanding!”

Hannah said her fundraising aim is to ensure Polybalm is available to all chemotherapy patients, regardless of cancer type or gender.

“My reason for wanting to raise money for Polybalm is that I feel that not just the breast cancer patients should be entitled to it, but every patient who is going through chemotherapy should be, male or female,” she said.

“If I can help someone’s mental and physical wellbeing whilst going through such a horrible, traumatic time, that would be incredible.”

Hannah thanked those who have supported the appeal, adding: “I would be so appreciative and thankful if you were able to donate any spare pennies that you have to put towards this cause.”

Click HERE to access Hannah's fundraising page.