Vickie Doogan, a 52-year-old recruiter from Ascot, Berkshire, first noticed symptoms in November 2013 with a dull ache beneath her arm. According to Daily Express - Health, Vickie Doogan described being 'absolutely floored' by her initial diagnosis at age 39, as she was fit and healthy with no lump in her breast. Her GP referred her to a Breast Care Unit where a biopsy confirmed invasive breast cancer.
Multiple reports indicate she responded well to chemotherapy and made a strong recovery. At age 44, she received a second breast cancer diagnosis and underwent a double mastectomy to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. According to Daily Express - Health, Vickie Doogan described learning she has the altered BRCA2 gene, making her more predisposed to breast cancer, which led to the elective surgery.
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I was absolutely floored. I was 39, fit, healthy, and there was no lump in my breast.
After her second diagnosis, Vickie got a dog named Dolly, a Poochon, to support her during recuperation. According to Daily Express - Health, Vickie Doogan described Dolly as her buddy and shadow, perfect for companionship while at home. In February 2026, Dolly was diagnosed with breast cancer after Vickie took her to the vet due to stomach pain.
According to Daily Express - Health, Vickie Doogan described the shock of finding a lump under Dolly's nipple and learning dogs could have mastectomies. Dolly underwent a canine mastectomy and recovered swiftly. According to Daily Express - Health, Vickie Doogan described Dolly bouncing back similarly to her own recovery, with people noting the mirroring effect.
Chemo was brutal, but thankfully I responded well to it. In 2018, when I was diagnosed again, I just couldn't believe it.
The specific types of breast cancer for both and the exact timeline of Dolly's treatment in February 2026 have not been disclosed, nor have details about the veterinarian or clinic involved. Medical studies or expert opinions linking human and canine breast cancer in such cases remain unclear, and the current health status and prognosis beyond being cancer-free are unknown.
I found out I have the altered BRCA2 gene, meaning I'm more predisposed to breast cancer, so I had an elective double mastectomy. The surgery was amazing; I had implants put in the next day.
I got Dolly after my second diagnosis to be my buddy, as I was at home a lot. She's like my shadow, she's the most perfect little dog.
In February 2026, I took Dolly to the vet as she had an upset stomach and they found a lump under one of her nipples. The vet said she needed to have a mastectomy, I was so shocked, I didn't even know dogs could have mastectomies.
She bounced back just as well as I did, people said it's like she's mirroring how I dealt with it. Now I'm living my best life again, it's all in my past. I want people to know that although breast cancer is scary, you can still live a really full life.
I was the fittest and healthiest I'd ever been and I was really looking forward to turning 40.