Young Woman Faces Terminal Diagnosis, Completes Bucket List

A 26-year-old woman from Sittingbourne, England, is confronting her terminal breast cancer diagnosis while striving to complete a personal bucket list. Shanice Bennett was initially diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in May 2023 after discovering a lump. Despite being told by healthcare professionals that she was too young for breast cancer, she persisted in seeking a diagnosis following her aunt’s own battle with the disease.

In the early stages of her journey, Shanice underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and a mastectomy, which included the removal of her lymph nodes. By March 2024, she concluded her treatment, believing she was in remission. However, her relief was short-lived as she began experiencing severe back pain, which she initially attributed to fatigue.

After an emergency visit to the hospital, Shanice received the shocking diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer, which is now metastatic and has spread to her bones, lungs, and liver. This development has resulted in limited treatment options. She has been hospitalized twice due to sepsis and is also suffering from hypercalcemia, a condition caused by excessive calcium in the body.

“I was really shocked as I thought I’d just slipped a disc,” Shanice recalled. “I know a lot of people after they go through it are really worried that it’s going to come back. But I was certain. I’m young and I’ve done the treatment. It might come back in my 50s or something, and I’ll deal with it then.”

With no definitive timeline from her doctors regarding her prognosis, Shanice decided to create a bucket list to make the most of her remaining time. She has already ticked off several experiences, including taking her seven-year-old nephew to Disneyland Paris, visiting New York with her family, and attending her mother’s wedding in Cyprus.

In her pursuit to live fully, Shanice has also booked a trip to Rome. “I’m just trying to stay positive. I don’t really have many bad days. I just want to focus on using my time to be able to fill up as much as I possibly can,” she said. Her aspirations include attending concerts and traveling to destinations like Switzerland and Tokyo, as well as watching singer Ariana Grande perform at the O2 arena in August.

Shanice has taken to social media, particularly TikTok, to document her journey and share her experiences with her 22,000 followers. A notable highlight is her desire to see the upcoming Hunger Games film, *Sunrise on the Reaping*, set for release on November 20, 2024. She has reached out to Lionsgate, the film’s studio, hoping for a special screening or a visit to the set. One of her videos addressing the company has garnered nearly 400,000 views, attracting the attention of actress Molly McCann, who stars in the film.

In an effort to fund her bucket list adventures, Shanice has established a GoFundMe page. In her appeal, she stated, “I am currently on my second line of treatment. Once this treatment stops working, there aren’t many good options left for me that will continue to allow me to live my best possible life. Every day I feel as though I’m living on borrowed time.” Any remaining funds will be allocated to end-of-life costs and support for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Shanice’s story has sparked discussions about breast cancer screening protocols. Currently, women are offered mammograms every three years between the ages of 50 and 70. A petition advocating for lowering the screening age to 40 has gathered over 15,000 signatures and may prompt a debate in Parliament.

Gemma Reeves, a chemotherapy nurse, emphasized the importance of early detection, stating, “We used to treat patients who were a lot older. Early detection makes a huge difference, and when breast cancer is found sooner, treatments can be less aggressive. Outcomes are better. More people will get a chance to live full lives.”

Shanice Bennett continues to inspire others as she navigates her difficult journey, focusing on creating meaningful memories while advocating for greater awareness and earlier screenings for breast cancer.