Woman with incurable cancer targets Everest summit

A woman from West Yorkshire with incurable cancer has reached Mount Everest Base Camp in her challenge to climb the world's highest mountain.

Dr Shaunna Burke, an exercise psychologist at the University of Leeds, is researching how exercise can be used in cancer treatment.

Burke, who lives in Addingham, was diagnosed with incurable stage four breast cancer in 2024 and underwent a double mastectomy, liver surgery and radiotherapy. She ran to her appointments to maintain her fitness and mental health.

She has previously climbed four out of the seven highest peaks in the world and said she was feeling "fantastic" ahead of the next stage of her challenge.

Burke, 50, who is using the trip to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, also ran the Everest Marathon last year.

"It feels fantastic to be back in the mountains again," she said.

"Everest holds a special place in my heart. It just feels incredible to be back and I can't wait to get started on the climb."

Burke said she had spent the last 12 months preparing to summit Everest, adding: "I have done everything I could possibly do to get myself in the best position.

"I'm as fit as I was 21 years ago when I stood on the base of Everest - I'm giving myself the best shot."

She previously climbed Mount Everest before in 2005, as well as Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, Elbrus in Russia and Kilimanjaro in Africa.

After setting her sights on becoming the first woman with incurable cancer to summit Mount Everest, she said she wanted her challenge to raise awareness of stage 4 cancer - when the cancer has spread from where it started to another body organ - and help her better understand the impact of low oxygen on her cancer markers.

Dr Burke began her climb on 16 April when she and her team ascended Mera Peak, a 6,400m (20,997ft) mountain.

Having reached Base Camp, she plans to continue on to Camp 2 and Camp 3.

She will then wait for a suitable weather window for the summit push.

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