I am a cancer patient living this battle for eight years now. My journey with the healthcare systems has been filled with doom, gloom, fear-mongering, and a lack of autonomy.

I bear the scars from a lumpectomy in 2016 which the medical profession would not reconstruct. Since this time I have chosen treatments both holistic and conventional that I felt were right for me.

I am currently trying to get a reconstruction, but because the doctors believe I am too risky I am not allowed DIEP flap surgery, which I know would make me feel womanly again and not leave me feeling deformed and upset about how I look.

I feel this should be my decision. I have spoken to other women who have felt that they were left high and dry and denied a reconstruction which would make them feel whole again too.

One woman I recently spoke to was left with significant physical asymmetry after undergoing NHS-prescribed chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She, like me, feels neglected by a system intended to heal, not harm.

This is unacceptable. Every patient deserves the right to make informed choices about reconstructive surgery without unnecessary barriers.

It's time for a change. In the UK alone, it is estimated 3.5 million people are living with cancer in 2025 (MacMillan Cancer Support) and every single one is at risk of enduring the same treatment I have experienced. We urgently need patient-centred care standards that respect the autonomy, dignity, and emotional health of all cancer patients.

Therefore, I am calling for:

• A comprehensive reform in cancer patient care to prioritise patient autonomy, informed consent, and active participation in treatment decisions.
• Guaranteed access to reconstructive surgeries, when medically feasible, as a fundamental part of cancer treatment.
• Improved communication, compassion, and collaboration between healthcare professionals and patients.

Let's stand together to protect the rights and dignity of cancer survivors. Please support this cause by signing and sharing this petition.