A MOTHER from Great Malvern is urging women under the national breast screening age to 'check, check and check again' for signs of cancer.

Esther Partridge-Warner, 51, discovered a pea-sized lump in her right breast and, following tests at the Spire South Bank Hospital in Worcester, was diagnosed with cancer.

"I had a mammogram as well as scans and a biopsy and they showed I had breast cancer and needed a complete mastectomy," said the mother-of-three.

"Obviously it came as a major shock but Rachel [Bright-Thomas] was a wonderful consultant. She was there for me throughout my treatment and afterwards, I couldn’t have asked for more care or encouragement."

When she found the lump, Mrs Partridge-Warner was under the national screening age of 50 and says her self checks made a "big difference" to the success of her treatment.

Ahead of this year's Breast Cancer Awareness Month - which runs during October - the education consultant is urging people to be aware of the signs of breast cancer.

"I am now telling all my friends that they need to know their own body and be aware of any changes in your breasts," said Mrs Partridge-Warner.

"I think my regular self-checks really did make a big difference to the speed and success of my treatment. Just because you are too young for the national screening programme doesn’t mean you are too young to get breast cancer."

Miss Bright-Thomas, consultant breast surgeon at Spire South Bank Hospital, said: "We need to ensure that every woman knows how to carry out effective self-check procedures and, just as importantly, what to do if she thinks something is wrong.

"It is important to get an early appointment with a GP to discuss the matter. The patient will then receive informed advice and, if necessary, be placed on the healthcare pathway and receive the necessary advice, help and treatments.

"I would advise women who notice any new lump or breast change to visit their doctor, regardless of age or whether they are still having periods or not."