A Scots mum-of-three who found out she had breast cancer weeks after giving birth has thrown her support behind campaign Change + Check which she credits with 'saving her life'.
Amy Stott, 40, was diagnosed with the disease at the end of May 2019 - just three weeks after spotting one of the breast cancer campaign's stickers in her gym.
The Glasgow mum, then 36, had found a lump in the shower in March that year but had put it down to the changes in her body during pregnancy. ITV's Change + Check, which was founded by Lorraine producer and breast cancer survivor Helen Addis, prompted Amy to visit her GP. She was told she had breast cancer weeks later.
To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Amy is once again championing the message behind Change + Check to encourage others not to delay in getting checked.
She continued: "The campaign shows that cancer can happen to anyone. If it makes someone act on their concerns, including young people, then that can only be a good thing.
"When I got the diagnosis, it was totally unexpected. I was shocked. In initial appointments, I'd been told not to worry, it didn't look like anything suspicious.
"I was young, I had three kids, cancer just wasn't on my radar. My mum had been a radiographer for years with Breast Screening Scotland so I was well trained for looking for signs of cancer, but never did I think I'd find anything.
"The amount of people I've spoken to since getting diagnosed who say, I didn't think you could get breast cancer at your age, or ask what am I even looking for?
"Don't delay in getting checked. Some girls I went through treatment with, they're not here now.
"The campaign stickers dotted around while you're at the gym or just going about your day make it obvious to see what signs you should look for. It saved my life."
Amy started a six-month long treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She had to give up her job as a secondary school art teacher for a year to recover, but was given the all clear after her treatment in December 2019.
She added: "Looking back now, I don't know how my partner and I went through it all with three kids. My 18 month old baby was the easiest to deal with as he didn't have a clue what was going on but my son and daughter were 8 and 10.
"They could see how sick I was. It was very tough on them."
Another woman who appeared in support of the campaign alongside Amy on ITV Lorraine in 2019 was 46-year-old Sally Nyland.
Sadly, the mum-of-two passed away last month, having previously expressed her gratitude to the campaign for helping her spot the signs of cancer, and giving her more time with her family.
Amy added: "I don't think cancer ever leaves you. Mental recovery takes the longest so the message behind the campaign is still very much relevant in my life. I feel I'm still going through it in a way."
Change + Check campaign focuses on raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, with advice on how to check your breasts and what changes to look out for appearing on posters in changing rooms across the UK.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs from October 1-31.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
