FORMER councillor Gill Neal has bravely published a picture showing her cancer scars to encourage more people to check themselves during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Mum-of-two Gill, who represented Windle ward, stepped down from her position earlier this year after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Despite aggressive treatment, Gill has been given the news that her cancer is terminal.

To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she bravely bared a picture of her chest, showing her mastectomy scar, on social media to encourage others to be checked for signs of cancer.

She said: "I thought long and hard about whether to post it because it is graphic and shocking.

"But because I have documented my experience it’s made women check themselves and if this picture means one woman checks and doesn’t have to have surgery because her lump is small then that is worth it.

"I underwent a mastectomy in March instead of chemotherapy due to Covid-19 but then had chemo from May to July.

"Unfortunately my cancer type (triple negative) doesn’t always respond to chemotherapy and in August they found that the cancer has spread to my lymph nodes and chest wall.

"My prognosis is 6-12 months from August so I’m currently at home and being cared for by Willowbrook Hospice outreach team and doing some fundraising for them along the way.

“October is breast cancer awareness month and I’d urge all women to check their breasts regularly for lumps.

"Not every lump is cancer but better to get it checked.

"I am so grateful to everyone at Burney Breast Unit, Clatterbridge’s Lilac Centre and Willowbrook for their care and support for my family and I throughout my treatment.

"I have charted my journey on Instagram and hope to continue to make more happy memories with my family in the time I have left.”

Gill posted the picture on Twitter with the following caption: "Today marks 7 months since diagnosis and 6 months since my surgery.

"I thought long and hard about posting this pic, but if this doesn’t make you check your boobs ladies then nothing will. I’m one of the 30 per cent of women who don’t survive. Check your boobs #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth"

Triple negative breast cancers are cancers whose cells don’t have receptors for the hormones oestrogen and progesterone or the Her2 protein, it does not always respond to usual treatments for cancer such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes place each October.

Breast Cancer can affect both women and men.

Other people have also posted pictures of their scars in the past to raise awareness of getting checks to prevent or catch cancer early.

For more information go to breastcanceruk.org.uk

To follow Gill's journey on Instagram, go to @sthelens.gill