A MUM-of-two who has been treated for cancer has urged other Asian patients to break the taboo of not speaking openly about their illnesses.

Fatimah Mulla was diagnosed with lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer, over a year ago.

The 30-year-old underwent a nine-month treatment programme which included regular chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions.

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Mrs Mulla, who lives with husband Imran, 38, and her two daughters, Zara, five, and Safa, three, told people about her road to recovery on social media.

She said: “I was talking about my illness, which is not something Asian people usually do.”

The former student at Beardwood High School in Blackburn appeared on the BBC Asian Network because she wants to break the taboo and is encouraging others to do the same.

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She said: “I got messages from people saying they were surprised I was talking about it because in Asian culture people try to hide these things, but I did not want to. My aim was to inspire people to talk about their health issues rather than bottle it up.”

Mrs Mulla was diagnosed with lymphoma on October 6, 2017 and had to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Royal Blackburn Hospital and Royal Preston Hospital.

Mrs Mulla, of Audley Range, said: “I was diagnosed at 29 and it was a shock to everyone because they thought you do not get cancer at such a young age.

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“I was devastated and shocked at the time because I have two young children and life became very difficult. The chemotherapy was draining and made me ill at times. I felt sick and ended up hospitalised on a few occasions. It was hard for me because I felt like I could not do my normal working routine.”

In less than 12 months Mrs Mulla, who works at mail order firm Studio in Clayton-le-Moors, was told the cancer had gone.

She said: “It was a huge relief as during my journey although I tried to stay strong and positive my fear was whether I was going to see my children grow.”

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Mrs Mulla’s family has also raised money for charity Stand Up To Cancer.

Her husband helped to raise more than £4,000 for the charity agreeing to have his head shaved off at his place of work, BT Accrington, in November.

He will also undertake a 200-mile bike ride from BT Accrington to the BT Tower in London to raise more funds. Go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/imranmulla?utm_id=124

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