Carole Raven credits taking her mum for regular mammograms for her own early diagnosis with breast cancer.

Aged 45, Carole went for her first mammogram at the Lady McAdden Breast Unit in Westcliff. Women are automatically called for screening at the age of 50.

Carole says: “I used to take my mum to Lady McAdden from the moment I could drive.

“Because all the women in my family regularly had mammograms it seemed normal to me to go and have one before I was 50.

“I didn’t have any symptoms I was concerned about and, at that time, I didn’t think anything was wrong.”

After her first screening in December 2005, Carole received a phone call the next day asking her to come to the unit for her results.

She says: “I was terrified. I could tell it was serious because I needed to go in the next day for the results.

“The night before was awful, because I didn’t know what to expect. It was awful for my daughter, Megan, and my mum.”

When Carole did go back for her results, her worst fears were realised.

Carole says: “As I walked in the room, the X-ray was on the light board. I could see at least two lumps.

“They had detected four lumps. I broke down in tears and I couldn’t believe it, but the nurses were so supportive and caring to me.”

Carole was relieved she had her screening at 45, rather than waiting until she received notification by post to be screened aged 50.

She say: “I probably would have waited until I was 50 to have a screening had it not been for taking my mum so regularly.

“I dread to think what would have happened to me if I had waited that long. People should go for a screening the same way you go to the dentist or have a smear test.”

The Lady McAdden Unit, known as Bust, opened in 1976. It provides breast screening and advice to women of all ages, on how to check their breasts.

Carole was taken to Basildon Hospital breast unit so doctors could investigate the lumps in her breast at the end of 2005.

She says: “It was Christmas time, so it was really awful to have to go through all that.

“I didn’t have the results back until January, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I was feeling very low at that point and thought I might not see my daughter the next Christmas. The doctor said he would not let me die and I would be around for many years. It was such a relief to hear that and I suddenly saw a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Carole went into hospital to have a mastectomy and reconstruction in February 2006.

“The operation was hard for me physically,” says Carole, who then had to take medication.

“In June 2008, I had my ovaries removed because the estrogen in the tablets led to me having an early menapoause, and I had terrible hot flushes.”

In March, Carole came off her medication and is now looking to the future.

She says: “It feels like I have a fresh start now and I am training in counselling and hope to be a bereavement counsellor.

“I still have the scars which remind me what happened but I have come to terms with them and know I am very lucky to be here. I don’t what I’d have done if places like Lady McAdden didn’t exist.”

The unit offers morning and afternoon appointments between 8.45am and 4.30pm from Monday to Friday, and evening appointments Monday and Tuesday from 5.30pm until 7.45pm, although there can be variations on clinic times. Call 01702 343288 to make an appointment, or check when your next mammogram is due.