A MUM has described how she discovered she was pregnant ten days after being diagnosed with breast cancer - and then went on to cross the finishing line of a running race just weeks on from life-saving surgery.

Louise Wilson, 36, of Whickham, Gateshead, who ran while pregnant for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life two years ago, is now encouraging other women to sign up this year to help beat cancer.

Her rallying cry is: “If I can do it, you can too.”

The mum-of-two recalled: “I was watching TV one night and leaned on the side of the sofa and felt a lump. It was completely by chance that I found it. The next day I booked an appointment to see my GP.

“Despite initially thinking I should wait until my next period, the GP booked me in to the breast clinic and I went along two weeks later with my mum. Somehow I just knew what the outcome was going to be.”

The results came back positive confirming she had breast cancer as well as it being detected in her lymph nodes.

Then, just ten days later, while celebrating her birthday with her husband Tony and daughter Poppy, then two, she found out she was pregnant.

“I just sat and cried. This was a pregnancy we had planned for, but now it seemed hopeless in light of my cancer diagnosis,” she said.

Despite her worst fears Mrs Wilson was reassured by her medical team that she could continue with the pregnancy as well as receiving treatment. She had a mastectomy, and lymph nodes removed.

Further treatment would not begin until she had recovered from surgery, but this did not stop her taking to the Race for Life field for Cancer Research UK.

She said: “I had already signed up to Race for Life weeks before my diagnosis as a member of my personal trainer Lois Gair’s Whickham Bootcamp.“I completed the race, less than two weeks post-surgery, seven weeks pregnant and not in my best physical state but I was determined to do it.”

Mrs Wilson completed chemotherapy in November 2015 and went on to deliver a healthy baby girl, Millie, on New Year’s Eve.

Now two years on she is cancer free and she hopes that her story will inspire other women to follow her lead and sign up to Race for Life.

She added: “My experience showed me it’s not about pounding the pavements or racing to the finish line. It’s about coming together to beat cancer sooner. I was determined to take part in that event despite what the previous two weeks had thrown at me. I believe it’s thanks to research that I’m standing here today.”

Lisa Millett, Cancer Research UK North-East spokesperson, said: “It’s the taking part that counts and money raised will help Cancer Research UK scientists find new ways to treat cancer and save more lives.”

  • Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is a women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, Marathon and Hiking events from June to July.
  • To enter visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.