Leeds Academic Mounts High-Altitude Expeditions Following Stage Four Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Dr Shauna Burke, an Associate Professor in Exercise and Health Psychology at the University of Leeds, is pursuing a goal to summit all 14 of the world's 8,000-metre peaks following a diagnosis of stage four breast cancer.

An experienced mountaineer, Dr Burke first reached the summit of Mount Everest in 2005. She returned to the mountain earlier this year after receiving her cancer diagnosis. The diagnosis is incurable, but Dr Burke has chosen to focus on exercise, resilience, and living fully rather than letting the condition set limits on her life.

Personal Challenge in the Himalayas

Having completed her recent return to Everest, Dr Burke is now targeting the remaining 13 peaks above 8,000 metres across the globe. She explained that her time in high-altitude environments plays a vital role in her personal well-being during her illness, noting that being in the mountains brings her a sense of peace and vitality.