Breastfeeding cancer shock for East Kilbride mum

It did not go away, however, and tests revealed it was cancer.

The shock diagnosis in 2021 turned her world upside down, and the news that she has inherited the faulty BRCA1 gene means she will face yet more treatment.

The East Kilbride biomedical scientist is sharing her story as one of this year’s ‘voices’ of Race for Life, run by Cancer Research UK.

Her “words of courage” will be played to participants at the starting line in Glasgow and across the UK.

“We all have a reason to Race for Life,” says Laura. “For me it will be a chance to say thank you, to raise money to help people tackling cancer right now.

“Finding out I have the faulty BRCA1 gene was a shock.

“I will be looking at more surgery in the future but that news has made me even more determined to do what I can to support the discovery of more treatments and cures for my daughter’s generation.” 

Every year around 34,600 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland.

Statistics show between five and 10 per cent of cancers diagnosed are linked to an inherited faulty gene. Around one in every 400 people have a faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Researchers think that around 70 per cent of women with the faulty gene will develop breast cancer by the age of 80.

Doctors have advised Laura to consider mastectomy surgery and also to have her ovaries removed.

Laura discovered the lump while breastfeeding her daughter Ivy during the pandemic, and she was diagnosed in June 2021.

“In the space of just a few months I went from the joy of celebrating the birth of our daughter with all the special people in my life to hours in a hospital ward,” she says.

“Cancer was one of the toughest things I’ve ever gone through and there were frightening moments. Life changes in a second when you’re told you have cancer.

“I spent my 40th birthday preparing for chemotherapy treatment.”

Laura, now 42, is keen to encourage women who find a lump in their breast to get it checked out.

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“I went to breastfeeding classes for mums-to-be, but a need to be aware of breast lumps was never mentioned to me,” she says. “After I discovered a lump, I ignored it for some time as I just put it down to breastfeeding.”

Laura studied cancer as part of her university degree.

“I knew that if cancer is detected early and has not spread then the outcome is positive,” she says. “It was difficult news to break to our families. The pandemic meant there were huge pressures on the NHS which was understandable. But all I wanted was to get the tumour out.”

In September 2021, Laura had surgery at Wishaw General Hospital, but was “shattered” when doctors explained the cancer had spread to some of the lymph nodes under her arm. During reconstructive surgery at University Hospital, Hairmyres Laura had all of the lymph nodes removed.

She lost her long brown hair during six sessions of chemotherapy.

“I asked my husband to shave my hair which was very emotional,” she recalls. “I felt self conscious with a bald head. My hair has always been dark. I’d always wanted blonde hair so when I had the chance to pick out a wig, I got a really nice blonde one with a wave in it.”

The surgery, chemotherapy and subsequent radiotherapy were successful and Laura is in remission.  A keen runner, who returned to her hobby after her cancer treatment ended in March 2022, she will be taking part in Race for Life Glasgow on Sunday, May 19 with her husband Brian, cheered on by Ivy, who is now five.

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Laura said: “Becoming a mum has been a fantastic experience, despite all the hurdles we’ve had to overcome.

“Ivy has been a constant source of joy and inspiration, with a strong personality and an infectious sense of fun. I’m so glad to still be here for her.”

Brian, 50, has vowed to complete the 10k course in less than 50 minutes in memory of his brother Alasdair, who died from lung cancer aged 51 in December 2023.

Race for Life will take place at Glasgow Green on Sunday May 19, while the 5K Pretty Muddy obstacle course, also in aid of Cancer Research UK, is on June 15.

Since it began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life.  

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in Scotland, said: “We are grateful to Laura and family for their support and know her story will make an impact on everyone who hears it.”

You can see more of Laura's story here.