The number of people living with cancer in the UK has increased from around 3 million in 2020 to almost 3.5 million in 2025. On average, someone is diagnosed with cancer every 90 seconds. I am part of those rising statistics.

Two years ago, I had a shock diagnosis of ocular melanoma, a form of eye cancer which affects around five in every one million adults. My left eye was removed just three weeks after I noticed slightly dodgy vision while out jogging. I now wear a prosthetic and have adjusted to monocular eyesight.

In the time since my surgery, I’ve had all the feelings, but the overriding emotion has been guilt. I can’t shake the notion that getting cancer was my fault. That might sound ridiculous, but it’s a psychological burden many cancer patients carry, and it doesn’t take a genius to work out why that might be. There’s a veritable smorgasbord of conflicting ‘wellness’ guidance out there: eat your own body weight in protein but beware red meat. Do HIIT but don’t raise your cortisol too much. Avoid spiking your blood glucose but make sure you fuel adequately. Try hot yoga, but don’t dehydrate. Bin your usual washing detergent, food containers and deodorant.

“I lost an eye to cancer, and I’m still racked with guilt that I may have caused it”