Guisborough Mam takes petition to 10 Downing Street

A Guisborough mam who is living with a rare and “sneaky” form of breast cancer is in London today (Wednesday April 22nd) fighting for more funding and research into the condition as part of the ‘Lobular Moon Shot Project’.

Melissa Robinson, 50, was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in September 2023, after she discovered a lump in one of her breasts.

Melissa counts herself lucky that the condition presented with a lump, as she says this particular type of breast cancer is “sneaky” and doesn’t usually present in this way.

In fact, it wasn’t until she had an MRI scan that a second cancerous tumour was also discovered – even though she had undergone both a mammogram and ultrasound, both of which had failed to detect the second growth.

The mam-of-three, said: “My diagnosis came as a shock, but thankfully, it was discovered after I found a lump, which is quite unusual, because it’s quite rare for this type of breast cancer to present with a lump.

“Lobular breast cancer represents about 15% of all breast cancers, but is very different to the more commonly found ductal cancer.

“Because it doesn’t present with a lump it is often found at a much later stage when the disease has progressed.”

She added: “It’s a sneaky cancer because it is hard to pick up through the usual detection methods – including mammograms and ultrasounds.”

After having a mastectomy, Melissa was told the cancer had not spread to lymph nodes and margins, which was a great relief.

She was told she “wasn’t a candidate” for chemotherapy and is now on hormone treatment for the condition, which she expects to be on for five to 10 years, but “still lives a full life,” despite side effects.

Melissa, who is Mum to Lewis, 21, Will, 18, and Jasmine, 16, and is married to Kevin, enjoys her job at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough, supporting students as a receptionist and administrator – someone who students regularly turn to for help and advice.

But today, she is taking the day off to stand shoulder to shoulder in the capital with dozens of other women in silent vigils lasting 22 minutes – a significant number, as it represents the 22 women who are diagnosed with the condition in the UK every day.

In support of her efforts, staff and students at the college, which is part of the Atomix Educational Trust, will also hold their own silent vigil – and are keen to help her to raise awareness of this cause close to her heart.

Staff and students at Stockton Sixth Form College, which is also part of Atomix, are also holding their own silent vigils in support of the project and Melissa’s efforts.

After leading the vigil outside the Department of Health and Social Care, Melissa will be amongst a group of women presenting a petition to 10 Downing Street, calling for more funding and research into lobular breast cancer.

There are three vigils taking place at different times – one outside of the Department for Health and Social Care, which Melissa will be heading up, one at the Department of Science Innovation and Technology and one outside Downing Street.

Melissa said she was “very excited” to be in London as a key supporter of the Lobular Moon Shot Project – so named because the condition “needs a Moon Shot style approach to move understanding and treatment options forward at a much greater pace”.

“When I was first diagnosed, I searched Google and read everything about the condition,” she admits.

“I was trying to find out as much as I could about the cancer and I came across the Lobular Moon Shot Project that was campaigning to get £20m of government funding for research to understand the basic biology of the disease.

“I was keen to get involved and started liaising with MPs about the issue.”

Melissa was able to get her local Labour MP Luke Meyer on board – and is expecting him to attend one of the vigils today.

Currently, there are 464 MPs supporting the project – and after presenting their petition to Downing Street today, Melissa and many other women will hold a drop-in information centre within Westminster, so that MPs can visit and find out more between meetings.

The Lobular Moon Shot Project was set up in 2023 by Australian pilot Dr. Susan Michaelis  in Horsham, West Sussex.

She was first diagnosed with the condition in 2013 – and sadly passed away on the 9th July 2025.

Eight different types of generic breast cancer treatment were unable to prevent the disease progressing for Susan.

Melissa said: “Currently, there is no specific treatment that addresses the basic biology of lobular breast cancer and women are presented with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ treatment approach.”

Melissa is in touch with Susan Michaelis’ husband – and is greatly inspired by the efforts she put into campaigning to help other women with lobular breast cancer, despite her own illness.

Poignantly, a group of women will sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ outside Downing Street today, in Susan’s memory.

“Susan was so inspirational,” said Melissa.

“Three weeks before she passed away, she was standing outside Downing Street and the morning before she passed, she was on the telephone to MPs.”

As well as fundraising activities, the Lobular Moon Shot Project seeks to galvanise political support to ensure vital research funding is made available by governments.

There are pockets of research going on globally, but what is needed is a major research project estimated to cost £20 million over five years.

The campaign organisers say lobular breast cancer has not been prioritised as it should have been in the past, especially considering 1000 people a day – including 22 a day in the UK – are diagnosed with the disease.

“There are an esteemed team of researchers all over Europe ready and lined up to carry out research into lobular breast cancer and they just need the funding so they can get going,” Melissa said.

“A five-year research project costing £20m is what’s needed – and what we don’t want to see is money being drip-fed into the first year or two of research and then the researchers having to apply for more further down the line.

“This cancer was discovered in the 1970s – and we don’t want to still be in the same position in 30 years’ time.”

Dr Nichole Munro, CEO of Atomix Educational Trust, said: “Melissa’s bravery and dedication to this cause close to her heart is truly inspirational.

“Not only is Melissa tackling her cancer head on, she is also actively putting herself at the centre of a movement for vital change, which stands to benefit women now and in the future.

“Myself and all the staff and students at Stockton Sixth Form College and Prior Pursglove College – where she is a much-valued colleague – are delighted to support her in her efforts and stand with her today.”