The family of a young farmer who was diagnosed with breast cancer while seven months pregnant have shared her brave battle as they get set to hold a charity fashion show in Newcastle.
Aimee Carlisle, 26, alerted her GP after finding a lump in her breast and was told it was likely to be a blocked milk duct as a result of her pregnancy. However, after raising concerns with midwives, she was referred to hospital to get it checked out.
After undergoing a biopsy and tests, doctors gave Aimee the devastating news that she had grade three breast cancer in November last year. She was 29 weeks pregnant.
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Her sister Kate Beresford, from Gateshead, told ChronicleLive: "Aimee had a single mastectomy on the breast that had the lump at 32 weeks pregnant. She was then induced and had the baby by C-section on December 28.
"She started chemotherapy in January which lasted 18 weeks and she finished that at the start of May."
Kate, 25, who works as an analyst for Northumbria Police, said it was devastating to learn her sister - who lives in Cracoe, near Skipton - had cancer. Aimee had no symptoms before finding the lump and now Kate is on a mission to raise awareness of the importance of checking your breasts.
Kate is holding a fundraising event for the charity 'CoppaFeel!' at the Purple Peacock in Newcastle city centre on Thursday, June 15, featuring a lingerie fashion show for brand Wacoal, along with music from Britain's Got Talent winner Matt Pagan.
"Aimee had no other symptoms apart from finding the lump," Kate said.
"The type of cancer she had is fed by the hormone oestrogen and the pregnancy meant the tumour had grown rapidly.
"Aimee had now been put into early menopause at the age of just 26. She only got married last June and is coming up to her one-year wedding anniversary.
"In that time she has had cancer, two surgeries, and a baby. Her whole life has changed."
Thankfully, Aimee is now in recovery and her son, William, is a healthy five-month-old who is said to have kept her going throughout her ordeal.
"I think a lot of people assume that breast cancer happens at a certain age category but it actually it can affect anybody at any age and men as well," Kate added.
Kate is also set to take on a 100km trek across the French Alps over five days in September to raise £2,750 for the charity, with the money collected from the Newcastle event going towards the overall total. The 'Tour du Mont Blanc' trek will be led by celebrities including Giovanna Fletcher.
Tickets for the charity event held at the Purple Peacock on June 15 at 6pm can be purchased here. You can also donate directly to Kate's Just Giving Page here.
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