Elissa Simms is a mum of two daughters, 20-year-old Bryn and 17-year-old Ella, who enjoys spending time with her family and walking her dogs Kahlua and Lottie.

In March 2024, Elissa noticed a strange sensation in her breast. At the time, she was seeing her GP frequently as she was dealing with a frozen shoulder and thought the two might be connected. Unfortunately, after being sent for an ultrasound, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

We spoke with Elissa about her diagnosis, navigating breast cancer, and her participation on the OPTIMA clinical trial