A MUM who was given an early-stage cancer diagnosis after insisting on more screening tests is urging women to be breast-aware.

Josephine MacDonald, 54, found a tiny, pea-like lump in her breast last year but was told it was nothing to worry about by doctors who put it down to her ‘lumps and bumps’ age.

But Mrs MacDonald, of Moulson Terrace, Denholme, was not convinced and went back to her GP because she “knew something was not right”.

“My breast felt really heavy,” she said. “I Googled my symptoms and went back to the doctors who got me referred for screening. I had a mammogram and it picked nothing up but I still had that gut feeling – and I was right.”

After another visit to her GP, Mrs MacDonald was fast-tracked to the Pennine Screening Unit at St Luke’s Hospital for more tests and biopsies, which eventually came up with a Grade 1 cancer diagnosis.

“I count my blessings I followed by instinct and went back. It’s slow-growing and only the first stage so I think it’s a pretty good outcome really,” said Mrs MacDonald. “Once I knew what I was dealing with, I just got on with it. I believe I’m blessed.”

She added: “I’m not saying it wasn’t hard to get my head round at first and to be honest my head pretty much caved in but I’ve realised now I’m one of the lucky ones.

“It’s so important women check their breasts, look out for any changes, tell their doctor and keep insisting they get all the tests they need. Please, please, please don’t leave it.

“I can’t praise the help I’ve had enough.

“Everyone’s been brilliant and I’m feeling positive for the future.”

Mrs MacDonald, who is due to have surgery in a few days’ time to clear the lymph node from her armpit and is expecting to be put on follow-up chemotherapy and possibly radiotherapy, said support from the medical profession, family and friends was helping her get through the diagnosis.

Tomorrow, as a thank-you to Macmillan Cancer Support nurses, she is having her head shaved to raise funds. She is being joined by friend and neighbour Michelle Rust at Denholme Conservative Club at 1pm when the pair will be losing their locks together. Everyone is welcome to go along to the event and make a donation. The friends are hoping to raise £2,000.

Each year, 48,000 women and 80 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK.

“I really needed the Macmillan nurses,” said Mrs MacDonald. “There were things I wanted to talk about that I could not tell my daughter. It was so good to have them there. The headshave is a thank-you to them so they can keep on giving that wonderful support.”

To make a donation, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/michelle-rust1

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