A Runcorn woman who had to give birth in the middle of a course of chemotherapy for breast cancer is using her experience to highlight the importance of checking for lumps.

Lauren Hodnett, from Murdishaw, was 22 weeks pregnant with her second child when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in January 2019, turning her world upside down.

The then 27-year-old was given the option to immediately terminate her pregnancy but opted to continue, embarking on an intensive course of chemotherapy while still carrying her unborn baby.

Miraculously, her treatment was stalled in May to give birth to a healthly baby girl, Olivia, before resuming chemotherapy less than a week later.

Runcorn and Widnes World: Lauren continued to receive chemotherapy after giving birth to baby OliviaLauren continued to receive chemotherapy after giving birth to baby Olivia

With the course shrinking her tumour, she then underwent an operation in July to remove the rest of it.

She has since been told by doctors that there is no evidence of breast cancer in her body but must now have a dense breast tissue MRI as a precautionary procedure.

Lauren, now 28, describes how she first felt when she was told of her earth-shattering diagnosis.

She said: “My first words were am I going to die? After that the only thing I could think about was my babies.

“But I didn’t cry. I don’t know why. My concern after that was how do I tell my mum and dad? Because I understood from having kids what they must feel like hearing that one of their kids has cancer.

“From that moment I felt like I’d already died and I had stepped out of my body and was just mourning this person.”

Lauren had been diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, the term refers to cancer that has broken through the wall of the milk duct and begun to invade the tissues of the breast.

If not effectively treated, it can spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.

Lauren discovered she had a lump by chance when leaning over in bed and counts herself fortunate that she was able to see a doctor on the same day and an oncologist the following day.

With specialists telling her that they had caught it early and in her mind a termination simply not an option, she underwent in total 16 rounds of chemotherapy at Halton Hospital’s Macmillan Centre before her successful operation, which preceded a course of radiotherapy.

Runcorn and Widnes World: Lauren is using her story to raise breast cancer awareness amongst other womenLauren is using her story to raise breast cancer awareness amongst other women

With the worst hoped to be behind her, Lauren is urging woman to check themselves regularly for lumps and other anomalies.

She said: “In a way I’m thankful that it happened because it’s opened my eyes just to love life an appreciate it more and to do everything that little bit more. Don’t ever give it me back though!

“A doctor said to me ‘you’re a bit young to have cancer?’ It can happen to anyone and I think especially young girls need to be aware that it can happen and it can be beaten.

“Feel them on the first of every single month. Know your body, know the changes and no question is a silly question.

You can follow Lauren’s story on Instagram: @mytriplenegativestory

For more information on cancer visit: www.macmillan.org.uk/