A mum is raising awareness after her cancer did not show up on scans, and could have easily been missed if it wasn't for the "amazing" team at a prevention centre.
Debbie Fricker, from Shaw, was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in April last year.
Some lobular cancers, including the one Debbie was diagnosed with, do not show up on scans.
The 54-year-old had attended her first ever mammogram and the scans came back completely clear, but due to her mentioning she had felt a hardened area of her breast, she was asked to get more thorough scans at The Nightingale Centre in Wythenshawe.
At the centre, which is Europe’s first purpose built breast cancer prevention centre, more extensive scans also came back clear of any concern, but a biopsy was performed to be certain due to the hard area Debbie had noticed.
After analysis of the samples from the biopsy, Debbie was told she had stage two cancer.
Debbie said: "I was quite positive about it when I went in for the scans, I was thinking there was nothing wrong.
"But when they said 'I'm sorry to tell you but you have got cancer', the world just falls from under you feet and you don't know which way to turn.
"You straight away think 'am I going to die?'
"But then the consultant sits and talks you through it and the type of cancer it is and thankfully, mine wasn't aggressive and he was confident we could beat it.
"I've just remained positive and got through it with laughter and my partner, Patrick, has been amazing and constantly made me laugh."
She also said the hardest part for her was telling her 24-year-old daughter, Holly, about her cancer.
She said: "There were lots of tears, but she has remained positive with me all the way through."
Debbie had surgery to remove her cancer, and had a portion of one of her breasts removed and is now awaiting her 12-month appointment to find out if she is clear from the illness.
Now, she is working to raise awareness of breast cancer and encouraging both men and women to check themselves and visit healthcare professionals when needed.
She said this is a very important mission for her, due to the fact that her cancer could have been so easily missed if it wasn't for the "fantastic" team at The Nightingale Centre.
Her and her partner Patrick Holden are now hosting a charity fundraiser event in support of Prevent Breast Cancer, which is based at The Nightingale Centre for them to afford new machinery and staff for a new department planned.
The pair hosted an event like this before, back in September last year, and raised around £4,500 in one evening with top prizes including a stay in Simon Cowell's pent house suite.
Held this year on September 14, the event will be DJ'd by Patrick himself who is an award-winning DJ who is well known for playing the over 30's nights at Envy.
The event is a true celebration of perseverance, with last year's having been attended by at least 20 survivors from across the UK, including Scotland, the North East and Portsmouth.
They are currently on the search for some high-stakes raffle prizes to be donated to include in the evening and help drive donations for their worthy cause.
Debbie said: "It really is a party, we all have a great time and it's amazing seeing others who have gone through this remaining so positive."
Patrick and Debbie have chosen Crompton Bowling Club as the venue for their events, both this time and the last, as they want to also help support a business while they carry out their work for the charity.
The event will be at the bowling club on September 14 and tickets can be purchased from Lewelles hairdressers in Shaw, Denise at the bowling club and from Patrick Holden himself.
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