'I found out I had cancer when 36 weeks pregnant'

Laura Hudson was 36 weeks pregnant with her first child when she found out she had an aggressive form of breast cancer.

Within a matter of days she was preparing not only for a Caesarean section to deliver her baby, but also to undergo chemotherapy and have a mastectomy.

Laura, from Astley near Wigan, can barely believe what has happened to her as she recalls the events of the last 12 months.

She and her husband Sam are now celebrating Aurora's first birthday together, and the couple are incredibly relieved that Laura has been declared cancer free.

Laura, now 34, said she first realised something was wrong when she felt a lump in her right breast.

Not overly concerned, she nevertheless told her GP, who thought it was "most likely to do with pregnancy" and asked her to return after two weeks.

"At that next appointment, I thought it had got bigger and the doctor agreed and sent off the request for further checks," Laura recalled.

Specialists quickly realised she had cancer.

Because her lump had grown so quickly, medics wanted to start treatment as soon as possible at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust's centre in Wigan.

Laura said she and Sam were "so shocked because it's not something you expect, especially during pregnancy".

She added: "My first thought was for my baby."

Aurora was safely delivered at 37 weeks.

While the newly expanded family were able to spend a few days together, Laura quickly needed to start chemotherapy before her mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

The treatment at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan has been successful, meaning Laura and Sam can focus all of their energies on their baby.

Her consultant at The Christie, Claire Kelly, described Laura as an "inspirational woman" who, by sharing her story, had also raised awareness of the disease.

"A lump is not the only symptom of breast cancer, so it's important that people check themselves regularly and know what's normal for them," added Dr Kelly.

Breast cancer symptoms are listed on the NHS website.

Laura said life with her daughter had been "amazing - she's made the last year worth going through" and added: "She's my aurora in the truest sense of the word, a beautiful light in the dark."