A MUM from Cam, who was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks ago, is urging young people to recognise early symptoms and aims to raise money to support those affected by the disease.

When Samantha Evans, 38, was hit with the news she felt like she had been steamrolled, but her thoughts leapt to how she could help others and to help raise awareness.

After a referral for her own peace of mind - 18 months after doctors decided that a lump in her left breast was merely a blocked milk duct or tissue - Samantha, who is a staff sergeant in the army, was diagnosed with cancer on October 12 at Thirlestaine Breast Centre, Cheltenham.

“I always thought that it was an older person’s illness, but at 38 I have already met some much younger than me (that have been diagnosed with cancer) and see that their unbreakable spirit is such a boost to me and my battle ahead," she said.

“I urge men and women to check themselves regularly.

“Both men and women can suffer from breast cancer and still a lot of people do not recognise this."

In March 2015, after the birth of her daughter, Lottie – now two – Samantha was due to return to work, but upon her back-to-work medical she noticed a slighty lumpy area in her left breast.

The following week she raised this to her doctor who after a brief examination was told it was normal after child birth to experience this.

“As you can imagine I was relieved,” she said.

However, after 18 months the suspicions Samantha felt about the cause of the lump led her back to hospital.

A series of doctors could not find a cause for concern but they persisted so that Samantha could put the matter to bed.

After a mammogram and several ultrasounds she was told there was 'an area of major concern’.

Samantha said that the experience was very uninviting.

“It was at this point that I started to get nervous, they couldn’t say ‘You have cancer’ because they needed to take some biopsies,” she said.

After a further 10 days waiting for results, she recalled the news making her feel numb upon hearing ‘it is cancer and it has spread to the lymph nodes’.

“I had prepared myself for the results but I couldn’t help but cry when she said those words.

“All I could think of was my beautiful two-year-old daughter,” she said.

Starting her chemotherapy at Cheltenham Oncology department on October 19, she wants to make people aware that cancer can strike at any age and to encourage people to get a referral if they are in doubt.

“The first chemo session knocked me for six, but with the help of my amazing family and friends I will beat this beastie,” she said.

Samantha, who has served in the army for 18 years, currently as a regimental accountant, set up a JustGiving page just four days after her diagnosis which has raised £702.04 from 38 donations. This money will go to Maggie’s Centres who offer practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer.

In addition she also had her hair shaved by daughter, Lottie, and owner of Techniques Hair and Beauty in Cam, Penny Fitzgibbon, on October 18. The hair will be sent to the Little Princess Trust to be turned into a wig for children suffering hair loss.

She said: “I am not one for fundraising normally but decided that I wanted to do something to help others like me.

“I decided to help my little daughter adjust to a bald mummy I would take her to the hairdressers to help chop off my hair.”

Samantha’s mum, Fiona Poulter, and brother, Richard Poulter, also accompanied her to the hairdresser and she says that without them and the rest of her family, this would be a very different fight.

To contribute to Samantha’s JustGiving page, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/Samantha-Evans29