A brave Carnoustie woman who underwent a double mastectomy to cut her cancer risk is urging people to sign up for Dundee’s Race for Life event.
Aimi Munro, 31, lost her mother to cancer when she was just six and decided to have the preventative operation after doctors gave her an 87% chance of developing the disease.
She said a television interview with Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton, who had undergone the same operation, inspired her to take action.
Aimi subsequently received a message of support from the pop star just before her operation.
She said: “I contacted Michelle via Twitter explaining that seeing her being brave enough to talk about it had changed my mind about being tested.
“Before I had my op, she tweeted to say she hoped it would all go OK. It was fantastic to have her support.
“Michelle is definitely my inspiration and I hope through speaking out about the genetic links to breast cancer then we will save many more lives.”
Both Aimi’s mother, Elizabeth, and gran, Irene, died in their thirties from cancer.
Aimi had the preventative breast surgery after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene, which is known to trigger breast and ovarian cancer.
“I had an appointment when I was 19 with a doctor in the genetic clinic to talk me through my family tree and how cancer has affected it,” she said.
“I decided I wasn’t ready to be tested then. I pushed it to the back of my mind and got on with my life.
“I felt if I knew if I had the gene, it would feel like a life sentence. Now that seems quite nave.
“Then in late November 2012 I remember I was running late for work and Michelle was on the Lorraine Kelly show talking about breast cancer.
“She’d had a mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA2 gene and I remember thinking then that’s so brave.
“I thought ‘I wonder if I should do that’. I contacted my GP and asked to go through genetic counselling.”
On February 11 2013, after a few months of intense sessions of genetic counselling, Aimi was told she carried the BRCA1 gene.
Her sister Lisa, 35, tested negative.
Aimi said: “I sat looking at the bit of paper that said ‘positive’ on it.
“I heard my sister speaking and asking questions and I was sitting crying.
“Eventually I stopped crying and asked what happens now?”
Aimi had the mastectomy at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee in August 2013.
She has also undergone reconstructive surgery.
She is now preparing for further surgery in the next couple of years to have her ovaries removed as the BRCA1 gene she carries means she stands a 47% chance of developing ovarian cancer.
Aimi volunteers for CoppaFeel, the breast cancer charity that encourages women to check their breasts regularly so cancer can be detected early.
She is also fundraising for the women only Race for Life in Dundee on June 21 so more families like hers can have a healthy future.
“I now know that my chances of developing breast cancer are extremely low.
“I’ve done something that my mum, my gran and many more women haven’t had the chance to do,” she added.
“Cancer Research is consistently striving to develop ways of beating this horrible disease and due to events like Race For Life we are able to raise funds to support and pioneer this incredible research.
“I’m encouraging women to join us in the pink army to unite in our determination to defeat cancer.”
Last year, almost 46,000 women took part in Race for Life events in Scotland, raising £2.9 million.
The Dundee event takes place at Camperdown Park, with people having the option to run for 5km or 10km.
People can take part at raceforlife.org or by calling 0300 123 0770.