A BASINGSTOKE mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine check-up is urging women to keep up-to-date with their routine breast examination appointments.
Sue Smart has said it is vital women attend mammogram appointments because getting checked “could save your life.”
The mother-of-two from Winchfield found out in December last year that she had breast cancer after it was picked up on a routine mammogram even though she had no symptoms.
She has since had two operations this year to remove the cancer cells and a course of radiotherapy but is now on the road to recovery.
The 59-year-old said: “It was obviously just a huge shock because you just don’t expect it but luckily it was caught quickly as an early cancer."
Sue, who is a member of the Odiham Slimming World, is also urging women to look after their own health and said it can be crucial to recovery.
She added: “The great thing about Slimming World was obviously I wanted to lose weight and it was the best thing ever but at the time of my diagnoses, I lost a lot of weight and the relief I felt was absolutely massive. When I knew I was going to have to have surgery I felt so much healthier.”
Emma Jones who runs the Slimming World group decided to take part in Race for Life to show her support, which ended up seeing 23 members including Sue raising over £3,000.00.
Sue added: “I was still having treatment when I did Race for Life so I actually walked it and I just feel so humble.
“It was such a great day and I just wish they could diagnose more women earlier because as long as it doesn’t come back I will be absolutely fine.”
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She said the hardest part of her cancer journey was telling her children but said daughter-in-law Amy Oxley was amazing and attended every appointment with her.
The mum is now urging women and other people with a mammogram to go to their appointment, saying: "I know people who don’t go to their routine check-ups, and going to mine saved my life so please just go because it might just save your life.
“I am incredibly grateful and my care has been second to none and it was just brilliant. They confirmed to me that I would never have felt anything was wrong because it was so early.
“That to me is all the more reason to have them, I know it is a bit uncomfortable but it is nothing compared to having operations.”
Sue is now on the road to recovery with her next routine check-up planned for October.
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