A former Carlisle beat officer battling cancer for a second time, has begun a series of challenges just weeks after finishing chemotherapy.

PC Debbie Hall fought breast cancer and won in 2003 but – despite undergoing preventative treatment several years ago, including a double mastectomy – in September she was told it had returned.

She began chemotherapy immediately, which she completed in March.

Despite this, the 47-year-old remains upbeat and determined, completing the Carlisle Colour Run in aid of Eden Valley Hospice two weeks ago and now preparing to take on the 5km Cancer Research Race for Life in Bitts Park in July.


Debbie Hall Debbie will take to the stage before the event on Sunday, July 10, to talk about her own experience of cancer before sounding the starting horn. She will then set off as part of the army of women in pink, on her own fightback.

For decades Debbie has lived with the shadow of cancer, first watching her mum, Hilda Hall, repeatedly battle breast cancer, before being diagnosed herself at the age of 32.

The mum-of-one saw her GP, who referred her to Cumberland Infirmary for tests. She was devastated to be diagnosed with breast cancer – more so as she was just days away from completing her ambition of becoming a police officer.

She had to put the start date with the police back while she underwent a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

One of the hardest moments however, was breaking the news to her then 11-year-old son Martyn.

Debbie was extremely unwell as a result of the treatment, but fought through and finally achieved her ambition of joining Cumbria police.

Debbie Hall photo

For years she was the community police officer for Currock and Upperby, a regular face on the daily beat, before transferring to Carleton Hall, in Penrith, last year.

In 2007, Debbie’s mum died at the age of 58, having fought breast cancer several times. The cancer had spread into her brain and treatment was no longer an option.

“Following my mum’s passing, I underwent genetic testing and was found to have the faulty BRCA2 gene,” Debbie explained. “That’s when I eventually opted to have preventative surgery.”

A couple of years ago, Debbie gradually started to suffer with back pain which she believed was due to a fall at work. Two MRI scans revealed a lesion on her lower spine, but it was believed to be benign.

By 2015, Debbie suspected there was something seriously wrong and scans revealed the devastating news in September that she had secondary cancer.

At the end of the day cancer isn’t just a death sentence: it’s an illness we can live with

“I think it’s been harder this time,” she said. “My son is an adult now, he’s a young man with a daughter. He’s able to understand everything about what’s been going on and it’s harder for him. I can see how hard it is for him and others around me.

“I’m continuing to be strong, because I don’t want them to be worried about me, it’s crazy.

“I try and get on with my life as normally as possible, because at the end of the day cancer isn’t just a death sentence: it’s an illness we can live with.”

Debbie, who works in the control room at Penrith, underwent chemotherapy at The Christie Hospital in Manchester. She lost her hair but coped with the drugs far better this time, managing to carry on working – although she based herself out of Durranhill in Carlisle, rather than commuting to Penrith. 

She said: “I am receiving excellent treatment in Manchester and will carry on fighting no matter what, because I am only 47 and have my whole life ahead of me yet. My experience means I understand all too clearly why Cancer Research UK’s work is so important. It’s thanks to research that I’m here today.”

Debbie has three more challenges to complete after the Race for Life, before she finishes with a charity ball.

While a personal challenge, they also mean she can raise vital funds for both Cancer Research and Eden Valley Hospice.

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for Cumbria, said: “One-in-two people like Debbie in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives. Thanks to advances in research more people are surviving than ever before, but there’s still more work to be done. The fight is on and we’re rallying women across Carlisle to join us at the starting line.”


To sponsor Debbie, visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/debbiehall1

Race for Life 5K Pretty Muddy will be held at Bitts Park on Saturday, July 9, followed by a 5k and 10k Race for Life the following day at the same venue. Visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.