Asda Coatbridge colleague on a mission to raise awareness of breast checking after four years cancer free

Asda Coatbridge Community Champion Ann Binks celebrated the milestone on October 4, which was also her 59th birthday and now wants to ensure everyone has a regular breast check routine as part of this year's Asda's Tickled Pink campaign.

Ann was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram appointment four years ago. 

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She said: "One thing I would say to all men and women is to keep checking yourself regularly, know your normal and don’t miss any routine mammograms. 

"If I hadn’t of attended my mammogram appointment I would never have known."

Following her mammogram, Ann was asked to attend West Scotland Breast Screening Centre in Glasgow where she was told that calcification flakes had been identified in her breast.

This meant she needed to have her right breast removed and she had surgery on her 55th birthday. 

Ann Binks (Image: Asda)

Her treatment was a success and Ann has been cancer free for four years.

She said: "I was terrified to be honest when they told me I would need surgery.

"I didn't know what to think but I got through it and I’m so grateful to be cancer-free four years later.

"I am now on a nightly hormone tablet every day for the next ten years which has led to some negative effects on my mood.

"The journey has not been easy but it’s a small price to pay and I’m so appreciative of the support from my husband Barrie and son Ben."

Ann is a strong advocate for the Asda Tickled Pink campaign which supports leading charities Breast Cancer Now and Coppafeel. 

As part of a campaign to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Asda Tickled Pink is on a mission to make checking your boobs, pecs and chests as normal as your Asda shop.

The aim is to raise funds for breast cancer treatments, education and support. 

The annual campaign is the longest-running UK charity partnership and over the past 26 years has raised over £77million to date.

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A recent survey amongst Asda female customers showed that 9% have never checked their breasts and of those that have breast checked before but not on a regular basis, only 24% are forgetting to check regularly compared to the UK average of 41%.

Ann said: "I have always supported the Tickled Pink campaign but after my diagnosis it meant so much more.

"I was very lucky that my cancer was picked up early and if I didn’t go to the mammogram appointment I would not have known.

"It could have been much worse, and I am so grateful to everyone in the NHS who looked after me."

Ann’s colleagues at Asda were there throughout her journey and she is grateful for the support she received. 

She added: "Tickled Pink is such a worthwhile cause.

"Anything that raises awareness and fundraises for more research into breast cancer is vital.

"Asda were such a great support throughout my diagnosis, and I am proud to be part of a team that has such a passion for breast cancer awareness.

"My colleagues have been brilliant; they were there for me the whole way through my journey and that support is still ongoing four years later."

Kevin McPhee, store manager at Asda Coatbridge, said: "Everyone at Asda Coatbridge is so proud of Ann.

"She is relentless in her campaigning for Tickled Pink, and we are all behind her.

"Ann is the heart and soul of not just the store but the whole community.

"Tickled Pink is a vital campaign, and we are with Ann every step of the way to get the message out there."