**From Hiding Away to Centre Stage: How Dance Helped a Welsh Mum Reclaim Her Life After Cancer**
Rachael Anderson, a mother of two from Caerphilly, never envisioned herself stepping onto a dance floor, let alone performing in national competitions. Yet, following a harrowing journey through breast cancer, it is dance that has become her sanctuary—a place where she’s rebuilt her confidence, found community, and discovered unexpected joy.
Diagnosed with breast cancer at just 37, Rachael’s world contracted almost overnight. As her treatments progressed, she found herself pulling away from friends, family, and even her own reflection as the impact of chemotherapy and steroids altered her appearance and eroded her self-image. “I didn’t even recognise myself anymore,” Rachael recalls. “My body, my face, even my mindset—all felt unfamiliar.”
Her turning point arrived on World Cancer Day in 2022. Having just completed her treatment and celebrated by ringing the traditional end-of-treatment bell, she shared her experience in a heartfelt Facebook post. Among the messages of support, one stood out—a note from fitness instructor Louise Evans, who encouraged Rachael to return to her dance and fitness classes. Initially hesitant, Rachael eventually accepted, propelled by a longing for connection and healing.
Louise’s invitation was not merely for exercise; it was a chance to join a special project—Creazione Dance Company’s fundraising performance in support of breast cancer awareness. The initiative was open to “non-dancers” and aimed to unite women from varied backgrounds and experiences. Stepping through the doors that first evening, Rachael was nervous but determined. “I walked in not knowing a soul, but knowing I needed to do this for myself,” she says.
There, she met Emma Llewellyn and seven other women, all drawn to the group for their own personal reasons—some to process grief, others, like Emma, to rebuild after illness or loss. The camaraderie between the women quickly bloomed, transforming rehearsals from structured lessons into an extended family gathering. Emma reflects, “It was never about being perfect dancers. It was about supporting each other, whatever we were going through.”
Yet, cancer’s challenges were not finished with Rachael. Just five months after her remission, she began experiencing debilitating headaches. Persistently brushed off as routine migraines, her pain eventually led her to A&E, where she received devastating news: the breast cancer had metastasised to her brain. What followed was a blur of hospital visits and radiotherapy. Remarkably, even amid this turmoil, Rachael remained a steadfast member of the dance group, never missing a rehearsal. “They kept me going,” she says. “The team became my family.”
With each life hurdle—from divorce to a new relationship, secondary cancer, and all the changes in between—Rachael found herself constantly evolving. Dance acted as an anchor throughout, helping her navigate uncertainty. “I’ve had to become so many different versions of myself,” she reflects. “But through all the changes, dance reminded me I could still grow, still belong somewhere.”
The group’s efforts soon transcended charity performances. Spurred by their unity and determination, Creazione Dance Company entered the renowned Blackpool Tower Ballroom competition—one of the most prestigious dance stages in the country. Incredibly, the team secured fourth place at the World Championships, an achievement made even more poignant by the battles many of them had fought to get there.
Despite ongoing health worries—including fears that her cancer had spread to her spine—Rachael continued to train and compete. Fortunately, recent scans have ruled out further malignancy, though the after-effects of intensive treatment have left her coping with persistent pain and weakened bones.
Creazione Dance Company now boasts 25 members across several teams, having expanded rapidly in recent years. Louise Evans reflects on the group’s ethos: “We aren’t just about dance, but about building community and giving people a space to express, heal, and belong.” Their success has sparked plans for further competitions, including the British Championships and another appearance at the World Championships in the coming year.
For Rachael, and for many of her teammates, dance is far more than a physical activity. It serves as a testament to their resilience, reminding them and those around them that transformation is always possible, even in the midst of life’s most daunting challenges. “I may never be the person I was before cancer, but I’ve learnt to like who I am becoming,” Rachael says, her story offering hope and inspiration to countless others who feel isolated by illness or struggle.
As the Caerphilly community continues to rally around its dancers, Rachael and her teammates encourage others to seek out support and connection, wherever they can find it. Their message is clear: no matter the hurdles, there can be light, laughter, and even a little Latin flair, on the other side of adversity.