A BOURNEMOUTH woman was about to get married when she was diagnosed with the same disease her mum died of. 

Jenny Howard was just three years old when her mum was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Despite undergoing treatment, just two years later, Jenny’s mum was taken into hospital on Christmas night and died the next day.

Fast forward to Christmas Eve in 2023, Jenny saw a post on Facebook that stuck with her.

She said: “I’d only recently had my son and saw a story of someone on Facebook who was pregnant and had breast cancer. I don’t know why but it just prompted me to check myself and I noticed something unusual.”

Jenny booked an appointment with her GP at the start of January, and by the end of the month, she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“At 41, it’s the last thing you expect. Added to that, I was due to get married on May 31, and what should have been a lovely few months leading up to the wedding became filled with medical appointments.” Jenny said.

Fortunately, Jenny’s breast cancer had been caught early and hadn’t spread.

After a lumpectomy and radiotherapy, she was given the good news that her treatment had been successful and she was able to go ahead with her big day as planned.

Jenny said: "I’m just so glad I acted quickly when I found my lump and went to see the GP. It shows how important early detection is.

"I now tell everyone to self-check every month and be breast aware – whatever your age. It could save your life.” 

Now, she is sharing her extraordinary story to raise awareness of the life-threatening disease.

The charity afternoon tea The charity afternoon tea (Image: Breast Cancer Now)

On August 11, Jenny was the guest of honour at a charity afternoon tea hosted by her step mother Sarah as part of Breast Cancer Now’s annual Afternoon Tea fundraising campaign, which raises vital funds for world-class breast cancer research and life-changing support.

The event raised an incredible £1300, and a local bakery even made ‘boob’ biscuits to be served to the guests.