Basingstoke beauty therapist writing poems to inspire others

Karla Cornwall, who lives in Brighton Hill, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2021, during the Covid lockdown.

The mother-of-three had a mastectomy and has since been in remission for three years.

She said: "I am not in the clear just yet, they like to see you reach about five years before you can say you are completely cancer free.

"Sharing my breast cancer diagnosis has not only helped me process it but to help others gives me a real sense of purpose. I hope to encourage others to check their boobs and to act if they feel anything isn't right.

"You never think it'll happen to you and when it does it's a huge shock. I like to be as open and honest about my journey and hope that I can give hope that even though it's really hard there can also be some good. I became a part of a community I didn't realise was there, but boy what a community we all are."

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Karla added: "The whole experience was really scary, especially having to go to appointments on your own." 

Hoping to show others that 'there is light at the end of the tunnel' the 47-year-old soon found herself being part of a very special book.

Someone's Survival Guide, which was published in January this year, is a collection of inspirational stories and advice from individuals who have survived a cancer diagnosis. 

Having her first poem published in the book has enabled Karla to find her love of writing and she is now hoping to soon publish her own book of poems. 

One of the poem reads: "You will get through the tough, it's definitely a climb, live life to the fullest and smile, we're only here once it's not a trial."

Karla told the Gazette she has written around 40 poems on a whole host of topics including children, hope, heartbreak and love.

Karla said she wrote her latest poem to mark three years since her diagnosis.

It reads: "I now want go give back and show others it's not so bad and that it doesn't have to be all sad."

Karla and her husband Clive (Image: Karla Cornwall)

The writer is hoping it will encourage other women to check themselves over and identify anything that looks unusual. 

Karla said despite going through something so "horrible and scary" she has met so many inspiring women since her cancer diagnosis and said she now wants to show others that even on the darkest of days there is still hope.

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On top of her poem writing she has also been fundraising for Coppafeel, a breast cancer awareness charity.

The mother, who also runs her own beauty business, will be taking on two tough challenges alongside Giovanna Fletcher and some other famous faces to raise funds.

On Saturday, May 10, they will walk marathon in the Yorkshire Dales and later this year, in November, she will embark on a five-day trek in the Indian Himalayas.

To support Karla with her fundraising visit justgiving.com/fundraising/karlaslifes4living.