It Starts With You – Hereditary Cancer Campaign

BBC Radio Derby’s ‘It Starts With You’ campaign shines a spotlight on hereditary cancers.

The campaign is inspired by Becky's story, in which she undertook a preventative double mastectomy at the age of 24 after realising she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation.

Having this mutation meant that Becky had a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Becky was the youngest woman in the UK at the time to have the surgery. Her mum also had the operation.

To help raise awareness, a new choir was formed as part of the campaign. Together, they perform a specially written song: It Starts With You.

Discover the inspiration behind the campaign, hear Becky's story, follow the choir's journey and learn more about hereditary cancers.

People affected by cancer have come together to sing in a new choir alongside Becky and her mum.

The singers are learning ‘It Starts With You’, an original song written especially for them by a Grammy-winning composer Eliot Kennedy who has worked with Celine Dion and Gary Barlow.

As the choir finds their voice, they’ll perform live at the BBC Radio Derby Make a Difference Awards before stepping into a recording studio.

On Sunday 18 October 2026 the new song will be heard for the first time on the BBC's Make a Difference show.

Subscribe and follow Becky and the choir’s journey on BBC Sounds. Just search for ‘It Starts With You’.

If you have a cancer story you'd like to share email ItStartswithyou@bbc.co.uk or go to www.bbc.in/itstartswithyou.