A BRIDE who was diagnosed with breast cancer last month shared a picture of her shaved head on her wedding day as a way of encouraging others to check themselves for lumps.

Sarah Vaughan, from Eccleston, was due to get married to fiancé Rob in spring but after her diagnosis on December 7, the couple brought the date forward.

They tied the knot at St Helens Town Hall and held their reception at Saints on Saturday, January 6.

Two days before the ceremony, Sarah’s hair started to fall out due to her chemotherapy.

And so the courageous mum-of-two shaved off her long locks and shared a picture her bald head online. 

The image was placed by a Sarah, who is a teacher, on a Facebook page she set up to encourage women and men to check themselves every month.

The 43-year-old told the Star: “My hair started to come out last week so I decided to shave it and I got a wig for the big day.

“(But) I thought I would share the picture because I know many people may be scared to get lumps checked.”
Sarah added: “I feel positive about my diagnosis. 

“I thought I was good on checking myself and have had lumps checked out in the past that were nothing – but this time I must have missed it.

“The response to my page has been great, with some people messaging me saying they have found lumps and are getting them checked already – which is amazing.”

The Facebook page called ‘First of the month check for a lump,’ has gained 430 followers within a week.

According to Cancer Research UK, more than one in 10 breast cancer cases are diagnosed late.

One in eight women and one in 870 men are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.

Breast and prostate cancer are also the most common cancers diagnosed in the UK

Sarah added: “This isn’t for just women, everyone can get lumps and could ignore them.

“But please if you find one get it checked and check yourselves every month – it could save your life.”

Sarah is currently waiting for MRI results which will establish what stage the cancer is at.

To follow Sarah’s page visit firstofthemonthcheckforalump on Facebook.

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