A MOTHER has urged all women to get checked for breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease.

Kate Mottershead, wife of Burnley councillor Neil, discovered a cyst on her left breast and was taken to Burnley General Hospital last week.

However doctors discovered ‘high grade cancer’ in its early stages in the 50-year-old’s right breast.

Mrs Mottershead was operated on on Monday and has to wait until week until her results come back, before starting three weeks of radiotherapy at Royal Preston Hospital.

Mrs Mottershead said being diagnosed with cancer was difficult to deal with.

She said: “Finding out that you have breast cancer can make you feel all sorts of emotions, such as fear, anger and helplessness.

“I found a lump in my left breast and went to my doctor who referred me to the breast clinic at Burnley General Hospital.

“A mammogram was carried out and it turned out to be a cyst which they drained, however, what was found in my right breast was early stage of high grade cancer which I had no idea about.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is for ladies to check themselves on a regular basis and if they find anything irregular, however small, they must go to their doctor immediately.

“It doesn’t matter if it turns out to be nothing.”

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK with roughly one in eight women diagnosed with it.

Symptoms of breast cancer include a change in the size or shape of the breasts, a lump of swelling in either of your armpits and a rash on or around the nipple.

Cllr Mottershead, 58, who has been married to Kate for 20 years, said: “When you hear the word cancer, it is terrifying. My mum had cancer many years ago.

“Kate has been scared as you can imagine and very emotional.

“All I can say, is that I am there for her and be strong and positive.”

Mrs Mottershead added: “We would just like to thank the doctors and nurses at Burnley General Hospital, for all the care given to me, the service was excellent.

“If you notice any changes in your breasts you should see your GP straight away. The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment will be.”