DIAGNOSED with breast cancer at just 32 years of age, Pontshill mum Ann-Marie Chandler is using her experience to implore all of us, women and men, to check for lumps.

Ann-Marie didn't think much about the discovery of a lump in 2005, but went to her GP nonetheless. A biopsy quickly confirmed that it was cancer. An operation to remove the lump revealed that the cancer had spread. A gruelling course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed, during which Ann-Marie's hair fell out. However, she and her husband, Christopher, decided to follow their dream of a cottage in the country, and moved to Pontshill.

"32 people still die from breast cancer each week," said Ann-Marie. "I wouldn't be here if I hadn't checked myself." If there is one message from her experience she would like to share with all of us, it is this: be breast aware and check yourself regularly.

Being breast aware simply means knowing what your breasts look and feel like normally, being on the lookout for any unusual changes and getting them checked out by your doctor. It's as simple as TLC: TOUCH your breasts. Can you feel anything unusual? LOOK for changes. Is there any change in shape or texture? CHECK anything unusual with your doctor.See the Breast Cancer Awareness Month feature in this week's Ross Gazette.