A MUM-of-two who suffered from breast cancer will be taking on the London Marathon to urge men and women to be aware of the condition even if they are young.

Kerry Elliott, from Darwen, was 36 when she was diagnosed in 2010.

But when she found a lump she was initially told by GPs and hospital staff not to worry on several occasions because she was young and had no family history of cancer.

The science and design technology technician said it was ‘devastating’ when she got the news that she had breast cancer, especially when she had to break it to her two children Tom and Cameron.

Mrs Elliott will now attempt to complete the 26-mile run through the capital to raise money for Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel.

Mrs Elliott said: “That week after I found out I had cancer was just devastating. It was so hard telling my two boys.

“I found a lump but at first I thought it was just something hormonal so I left it for three weeks.

“Then I went to the doctors and they said it didn’t really feel like anything and there was no family history and I was young.

“The hospital said the same thing but eventually they found a lump under the one I had found which was cancer.

“If something doesn’t feel right get it checked out, even if you are young. That’s the message I want to get out there.”

Mrs Elliott, who works at Darwen Vale High School, is free of cancer but is still having to take medication to prevent it from returning.

The 42-year-old, of Westminster Close, took up running when she joined Darwen Dashers just over a year ago and has taken on 10k’s and half-marathons in the run up to the big day.

So far she has raised more than £600 for the causes.

Mrs Elliot said: "The first thing you think when you’ve got cancer is that you’re going to die.

"I now want to prove that you can get on in life even if you have had it. I took up running to try and take my mind off my diagnosis.

“I was injured when I started training which slowed me down a bit but I’m getting there now and ran 22 miles the other day.

“I know the crowd will get me through on the day. I’m excited and nervous at the same time.”

Visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/KerryElliott.