A MOTHER has spoken out about her battle with breast cancer, saying she believes her diagnosis brought her out of her shell and made her a more confident person.

Jude Cowsill, 49, from Barrow, was diagnosed with cancer on St George's Day 2015 after feeling an unusual lump in her breast.

She said: "I just didn't like the feel of it; it felt craggy and like granite.

"I called my doctor straight away and they said there were no appointments so I told them I had found a lump and they booked me in to see the nurse."

Medics completed a biopsy and a mammogram on the same day and later confirmed the lump was in fact stage two lobular carcinoma, an invasive cancer which starts in the milk producing glands.

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The Risedale Road resident and mother of three was then booked in for three weeks of chemotherapy which finished in September, followed by a mastectomy in Lancaster and then three more weeks of radiotherapy.

Miss Cowsill said: "It was a lot to take in and afterwards I didn't know what to do with myself and felt like I was at a loose end.

"I thought it might have been depression but my doctor didn't want to give me any tablets and recommended the Positive Living Course, which was great."

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The community hall co-ordinator also took a step out of her comfort zone flying solo to visit her daughter in Canada and said when she returned she was a "different person".

Miss Cowsill now attends Recover and Rediscover and Looking Good, Feeling Great.

she said: "They are amazing women, we just laugh all the time.

"I used to be worried about meeting new people but because we are all in the same boat it doesn't bother me.

"I used to be shy and a bit introvert and it all brought me out of my shell," she added.

Since finishing her treatment, Miss Cowsill continues to take part in exercise and lead a healthy life after her doctor advised her that exercise important in helping prevent cancer.

She continues to attend R&R meetings which take place every fortnight in Barrow Disability Centre.

If you have been affected by this issue, get in touch with Joanne Jagger from R&R by emailing randrcove@yahoo.com

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