Inverness GP walking marathon 18 months after cancer diagnosis

A Highland GP is planning to walk more than 26 miles this weekend after being diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

Morag Macleod, from Inverness, says despite seeing patients go through a similar process it was a "completely different ball game" when she received the devastating news.

Now having gone through treatment, she's wanting to give something back by taking part in the Edinburgh event.

Inside info as GP "frightening"

Mum of three Morag was diagnosed in January 2021 with a stage three breast cancer.

The GP says having more information due to her occupation didn't help.

She said: "It’s completely devastating.

"Although as a GP I’ve seen other patients go through a similar diagnosis, when it’s yourself it’s a completely different ball game.

"I think you do go into shock and being medical, you’ve got a bit more inside information which sometimes can be more frightening."

Appointments during lockdown

Morag also outlined how although covid restrictions didn't affect her diagnosis, having to attend appointments by herself was a challenge.

She added: "You’re in the appointment yourself, you’re getting a lot of information, you’re going through various procedures all on your own which is very difficult.

"It’s quite hard to take a lot of information in when you’re in that shocked state.

"Obviously a lot of people went through the same thing of having to go in themselves.

"However the breast unit at Raigmore is fantastic, they’ve got breast care nurses who sit you down, offer you a cup of tea, all these sort of things.

"Everybody is very helpful, you get as much information as you need at that particular time."

Family and friends support

The MoonWalk is an overnight walk involving both women and men wearing brightly decorated bras, t-shirts or other costumes to raise funds for the Walk the Walk breast cancer charity.

The event also raises funds for various other breast cancer charities.

Morag's husband, their three grown-up children and another relative are all taking part in the event alongside Morag.

She said: "They’ve been absolutely fantastic.

"Obviously with a diagnosis like that, it doesn’t just effect the person who’s got it, it effects the entire family.

"It also effects your friends which you don’t realise initially. It’s probably afterwards you start processing everything.

“Through signing up for the MoonWalk you’re much more aware that it’s not just women, men get breast cancer too and they’re very good at highlighting that.

"Although it’s much rarer in men than women, it’s really nice that it’s for both sexes.

"They encourage male and female walkers. It’s highlighting things in a very visible way because it’s bras and things like that."