An Oldham mum who was diagnosed with cancer just before Christmas six years ago is sharing an appeal for a new breast imaging facility in Manchester.
Dawn Lomas was 47 when she tripped and fell into a large outdoor plant pot in 2017, which left her with pain and bruising on her left side which remained for a few weeks.
The fall combined with a letter about getting an early mammogram prompted her to for a breast screening.
She attended the Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital and although her left side was fine, concerns were raised about something on her right breast.
On December 18, 2017, she was told she had breast cancer.
The mum-of-two, who lives in Bardsley, said: "It took a while to calm down after I was told – everyone reacts differently to being told they have cancer, and no reaction is right or wrong. I wasn’t upset. So many thoughts were going through my mind.
"My first worry was that my two sons, who were 14 and 16 at the time, would think I was dying if I got upset when I told them. So I knew I had to make sure that I was calm and prepared. I didn’t want them worrying."
Dawn hosted Christmas Day for her family and wanted the festive period to be as normal as possible.
On December 28, she was told her cancer was at stage two, meaning it was small enough to be operated on and that it was most likely survivable.
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts
Dawn underwent a lumpectomy on January 3, 2018, followed by four weeks of radiotherapy and was declared cancer free after her treatment.
She is now encouraging women to get an early mammogram which could be life-saving, as it was for her.
She said: “I’m just so grateful the cancer was caught when it was, early diagnosis saved my life.
“Early diagnosis is such a huge part of surviving breast cancer. I’m so grateful it was caught in time and I’d urge everyone who gets an invite for a mammogram to attend the appointment.”
Dawn is now appealing for people to donate to the Build to Beat Breast Cancer Appeal, which looks to raise funds for a National Breast Imaging Academy facility at the Nightingale Centre.
Her own personal fundraising efforts have seen her brave a cold water dip in June this year, hold bake sales at work, run the Great Manchester Run 10K and hold other events to fundraise and help more women like her.
Because of her story, Christmas is a very important time for Dawn and her family.
She said: "December 1st the tree goes up straight away. And I think I just embrace things more now. I appreciate each moment and I’m so appreciative of each and every day."
The Build to Beat Breast Cancer Appeal is hoping to raise a further £1.8m to deliver the breast imaging facility.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here