Covid saved a mum's life after a chest scan revealed she had breast cancer.
Jan Dea was admitted to hospital with the virus and was given checks on her condition by doctors.
The retired nurse is now in remission, but had her cancer symptoms not been discovered in the 2020 scan, they would have been too late to treat because of the aggressive nature of the disease
Jan, 61, was having regular breast scans but the screening tool is not as reliable for women with dense tissue.
HullLive reports breast tumours are white on mammograms which makes them tricky to spot.
Jan, a stroke nurse for 20 years, was admitted to her old workplace North Tees Hospital when she contracted Covid in late 2020.
Severe coronavirus can cause blood clots on the lungs and scans of her chest revealed the tumour.
Her husband Brian, 62, a builders' merchant, first tested positive at the end of October 2020 during the second Covid wave.
Within a week his wife was also struck down and their 24 year-old daughter Katie.
Jan said: "On 22 November I was at the end of my isolation period - but I just didn't feel well. "
"I was watching a film with my daughter when I had to take myself off to bed. I was freezing and shaking but my daughter Katie said I was burning up.
"Katie called 111 and because I'm asthmatic they sent an ambulance. I didn't want to waste anyone’s time.
"But because of my cough the paramedics thought it best to bring me in to check for any blood clots. I was 42 degrees and my blood pressure was a bit low.
"I had to go to hospital alone and the next day they took me for a scan to check for blood clots in my lungs. They injected me with a special contrast dye which helps highlight the areas being examined.
"Next day the consultant came to see me. She said whilst there were no blood clots, when they used the contrast dye, they found a mass in my right breast.
"I was shocked. I've had all the mammograms. I go every three years. I thought I was fine.
"But the consultant told me that because I have dense breast tissue it doesn’t always show cancer up on a mammogram.
"I was referred to a breast specialist, but I couldn't go until I was Covid negative. It had been 23 days of having Covid. I just didn't think it was possible.
"After isolating at home and having two negative tests, I was able to see a consultant in December. After a biopsy they confirmed it was breast cancer. I was told if I hadn't been admitted with Covid, by the time I'd have felt it, it would have been too advanced.
"My surgeon Mr Mohamed Shaaban told me 'Covid saved your life'."
She continued: "By the time my surgery came round we were in another lockdown in January 2021.
"The hospital I was meant to have surgery at was shut down. But my consultant said I needed the operation within six weeks because the cancer was fast growing.
"So thankfully she managed to get me on a list at another hospital. They took out the area of the cancer and some lymph nodes which luckily it hadn't spread to.
"Mr Shaaban performed the operation. I waited another six weeks for radiotherapy and had a condensed treatment over five days."
When it was over Jan celebrated the end of her therapy by ringing a ceremonial bell as she left James Cook Hospital, Middlesborough - where the tumour was removed.
Elanie Sturtevant, policy manager at Breast Cancer Now, said: "Whilst we know mammography can be less effective at detecting cancer in women with dense breasts, we encourage women to continue to go to breast screening when invited and regularly check their breasts for any new or unusual changes.
"Research is looking at how the NHS breast screening programme could better serve the needs of women with dense breasts.
"We hope the emerging studies will highlight the best way to ensure these women have the best chance of early diagnosis."
Jan has two other grown up children Peter, 32, and Rachel, 33 is now back working at Anson Farm, a Greene King carvery and inn from where she was furloughed when she got Covid.
She joked: "They've said I can't retire."
She has signed up for Breast Cancer Now's Afternoon Tea fundraiser next month along with former MasterChef winner Jane Devonshire who also survived the disease.
Jan said: "Now that my treatment has finished, I'm fundraising for Breast Cancer Now to help raise money for research and support that they provide for anyone affected by breast cancer.
"I've lost my mother, father, and Molly across the road - who was like a second mum to me - to cancer.
"It almost claimed me. I am going to host an Afternoon Tea for family and friends at home and do a takeaway version at work. I hope as many people as possible will take part.
Fundraising kits are available at breastcancernow.org/cuppa
