Routine scan led to early breast cancer diagnosis for West Lothian woman who's going out walking after midnight
A West Lothian woman who received a breast cancer diagnosis out of the blue is taking on a marathon-length moonlit challenge.
Angela Mairs was hit with the shocking news following a routine mammogram in March last year and is now urging people to take the opportunity of screening.
The 58-year-old mum from Uphall Staion, Livingston, will take part in this year's The MoonWalk Scotland, when women and men wearing brightly decorated bras walk 26.2 miles through the streets of Edinburgh.
Organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, this year's event will be the last to take place in the capital for the time being as it goes on tour to a new city.
'I was diagnosed with breast cancer out of the blue,' said Angela. 'It was the third mammogram I'd had since turning 50.
'I'd had absolutely no symptoms beforehand – no lumps, rash or puckering of the skin, classic symptoms of possible breast cancer.
'Then I received a letter saying the scan had been 'inconclusive' and asking me to attend for a follow up.
'I am a bit busty and thought there was simply some sort of technical issue with getting the right type of images. I didn't take my husband along to that second appointment, I wasn't concerned at all.
'Everything snowballed from there. There was an area in my left breast which needed to be investigated further. I had an ultrasound scan and two biopsies and returned to see the consultant a couple of weeks later for my results. He told me I had Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), an early-stage form of breast cancer, which was a huge shock.
'Some cells in the lining of the ducts of the breast tissue had started to turn into cancer cells, but hadn't yet spread elsewhere.
'If they hadn't been discovered when they were – by the mammogram – this would have been a real possibility.
'DCIS cells look like grains of rice on scans – they're quite small, which is why I wasn't able to feel anything untoward myself.'
The Business Support admin worker had surgery to remove the cancer in June last year. The procedure is known as a bilateral mammoplasty. Affected tissue was removed from her left breast with her right breast then adjusted to the same size.
Although surgery went well, a wound became infected. Angela also had five sessions of radiotherapy.
Prior to surgery she received hormone therapy, Letrozole, to slow the growth of the cells, which she continues to take, although an unfortunate side-effect is symptoms of menopause.
Angela is grateful for the support of those around her, in particular her husband Derek, 22-year-old son Derek, and his partner Neve.
'My friends and family have been absolutely amazing,' she said. 'My husband is self-employed and my friends were incredibly supportive while I was recovering from surgery, so that he could keep on working.
'I felt like I had my own private 'meals on wheels' service and they gave me with lifts everywhere too.
'After having been off work for a large part of last year, I now feel as though I'm back to business as usual and enjoying my normal life.
'I do need to build up my stamina. Taking part in The MoonWalk Scotland in September and all the training I'll need to do beforehand will give me a fantastic focus, as I try to regain my fitness.'
This won't be the first time Angela has taken part in the Full Moon event, she completed it back in 2019.
'I really enjoyed the night and loved the wonderful atmosphere – there were people out on the route supporting us at 2 o'clock in the morning,' she recalled.
Walk the Walk has already contributed millions of pounds in grants to the Breast Unit at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
Angela added: 'I've well and truly used all the services at the Western General which Walk the Walk has helped to fund – the mammography unit, operating theatre and breast cancer ward.
'I'm also incredibly thankful for the mammogram which discovered my cancer when it did. This wasn't detectable without a mammogram, there were no symptoms. If breast cancer is caught early enough, a lot can be done to prevent the disease spreading.
"I'd urge everyone who is invited to take up the offer of getting a mammogram. It could save your life'.
The event has been going for the last 19 years and the date for this year's is Saturday, September 6.
To sign up for The MoonWalk Scotland 2025, visit:
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3 days ago
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West Lothian mum given devastating diagnosis at routine scan despite no symptoms
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A West Lothian mum was diagnosed with breast cancer out of the blue without suffering any symptoms. Angela Mairs was given the devastating diagnosis following a routine mammogram in March last year. After the scan she received a letter saying it had been inconclusive as she was asked to attend a follow up. According to Angela, she didn't even take her husband to the appointment as she had no reason to be concerned. Sadly, further tests showed Angela had Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), an early stage form of breast cancer. Speaking to the West Lothian Courier, Angela is now urging people to take the opportunity of screening and is set to take on a marathon-length moonlit challenge in Edinburgh. The 58-year-old, from Uphall Station, will take part in this year's MoonWalk Scotland, where women and men wear brightly decorated bras and walk 26.2 miles through the streets of Edinburgh. (Image: MoonWalk Scotland) "I was diagnosed with breast cancer out of the blue," said Angela. "It was the third mammogram I'd had since turning 50. "I'd had absolutely no symptoms beforehand - no lumps, rash or puckering of the skin, classic symptoms of possible breast cancer. Then I received a letter saying the scan had been 'inconclusive' and asking me to attend for a follow up. "I am a bit busty and thought there was simply some sort of technical issue with getting the right type of images. I didn't take my husband along to that second appointment, I wasn't concerned at all. "Everything snowballed from there. There was an area in my left breast which needed to be investigated further. I had an ultrasound scan and two biopsies and returned to see the consultant a couple of weeks later for my results. He told me I had Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), an early-stage form of breast cancer, which was a huge shock. (Image: MoonWalk Scotland) "Some cells in the lining of the ducts of the breast tissue had started to turn into cancer cells, but hadn't yet spread elsewhere. "If they hadn't been discovered when they were - by the mammogram - this would have been a real possibility. "DCIS cells look like grains of rice on scans - they're quite small, which is why I wasn't able to feel anything untoward myself." Angela had surgery to remove the cancer in June last year. Although it went well, a wound became infected. She has also had five radiotherapy sessions. Prior to Angela's surgery she received hormone therapy to slow the growth of cells, but an unfortunate side-effect is symptoms of the menopause. She has also thanked those around her for their support, including her husband Derek, 22-year-old son Jake and his partner Neve. "My friends and family have been absolutely amazing," she said. "My husband is self-employed and my friends were incredibly supportive while I was recovering from surgery, so that he could keep on working. "I felt like I had my own private 'meals on wheels' service and they gave me with lifts everywhere too. After having been off work for a large part of last year, I now feel as though I'm back to business as usual and enjoying my normal life. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. "I do need to build up my stamina. Taking part in The MoonWalk Scotland in September and all the training I'll need to do beforehand will give me a fantastic focus, as I try to regain my fitness." This won't be the first time Angela has taken part in the Full Moon event, she completed it back in 2019. "I really enjoyed the night and loved the wonderful atmosphere - there were people out on the route supporting us at 2 o'clock in the morning," she recalled. Walk the Walk has already contributed millions of pounds in grants to the Breast Unit at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Angela added: "I've well and truly used all the services at the Western General which Walk the Walk has helped to fund - the mammography unit, operating theatre and breast cancer ward. "I'm also incredibly thankful for the mammogram which discovered my cancer when it did. This wasn't detectable without a mammogram, there were no symptoms. If breast cancer is caught early enough, a lot can be done to prevent the disease spreading. "I'd urge everyone who is invited to take up the offer of getting a mammogram. It could save your life". The event has been going for the last 19 years and the date for this year's is Saturday, September 6. To sign up for The MoonWalk Scotland 2025, visit:
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Routine scan led to early breast cancer diagnosis for West Lothian woman who's going out walking after midnight
Angela Mairs is taking on the marathon-distance charity challenge to give something back A West Lothian woman who received a breast cancer diagnosis out of the blue is taking on a marathon-length moonlit challenge. Angela Mairs was hit with the shocking news following a routine mammogram in March last year and is now urging people to take the opportunity of screening. The 58-year-old mum from Uphall Staion, Livingston, will take part in this year's The MoonWalk Scotland, when women and men wearing brightly decorated bras walk 26.2 miles through the streets of Edinburgh. Organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, this year's event will be the last to take place in the capital for the time being as it goes on tour to a new city. 'I was diagnosed with breast cancer out of the blue,' said Angela. 'It was the third mammogram I'd had since turning 50. 'I'd had absolutely no symptoms beforehand – no lumps, rash or puckering of the skin, classic symptoms of possible breast cancer. 'Then I received a letter saying the scan had been 'inconclusive' and asking me to attend for a follow up. 'I am a bit busty and thought there was simply some sort of technical issue with getting the right type of images. I didn't take my husband along to that second appointment, I wasn't concerned at all. 'Everything snowballed from there. There was an area in my left breast which needed to be investigated further. I had an ultrasound scan and two biopsies and returned to see the consultant a couple of weeks later for my results. He told me I had Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), an early-stage form of breast cancer, which was a huge shock. 'Some cells in the lining of the ducts of the breast tissue had started to turn into cancer cells, but hadn't yet spread elsewhere. 'If they hadn't been discovered when they were – by the mammogram – this would have been a real possibility. 'DCIS cells look like grains of rice on scans – they're quite small, which is why I wasn't able to feel anything untoward myself.' The Business Support admin worker had surgery to remove the cancer in June last year. The procedure is known as a bilateral mammoplasty. Affected tissue was removed from her left breast with her right breast then adjusted to the same size. Although surgery went well, a wound became infected. Angela also had five sessions of radiotherapy. Prior to surgery she received hormone therapy, Letrozole, to slow the growth of the cells, which she continues to take, although an unfortunate side-effect is symptoms of menopause. Angela is grateful for the support of those around her, in particular her husband Derek, 22-year-old son Derek, and his partner Neve. 'My friends and family have been absolutely amazing,' she said. 'My husband is self-employed and my friends were incredibly supportive while I was recovering from surgery, so that he could keep on working. 'I felt like I had my own private 'meals on wheels' service and they gave me with lifts everywhere too. 'After having been off work for a large part of last year, I now feel as though I'm back to business as usual and enjoying my normal life. 'I do need to build up my stamina. Taking part in The MoonWalk Scotland in September and all the training I'll need to do beforehand will give me a fantastic focus, as I try to regain my fitness.' This won't be the first time Angela has taken part in the Full Moon event, she completed it back in 2019. 'I really enjoyed the night and loved the wonderful atmosphere – there were people out on the route supporting us at 2 o'clock in the morning,' she recalled. Walk the Walk has already contributed millions of pounds in grants to the Breast Unit at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Angela added: 'I've well and truly used all the services at the Western General which Walk the Walk has helped to fund – the mammography unit, operating theatre and breast cancer ward. 'I'm also incredibly thankful for the mammogram which discovered my cancer when it did. This wasn't detectable without a mammogram, there were no symptoms. If breast cancer is caught early enough, a lot can be done to prevent the disease spreading. "I'd urge everyone who is invited to take up the offer of getting a mammogram. It could save your life'. The event has been going for the last 19 years and the date for this year's is Saturday, September 6. To sign up for The MoonWalk Scotland 2025, visit:
Daily Record
6 days ago
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'We're now super keen to raise some funds for a defibrillator near the gym we use and we'd also like to raise awareness about CPR. Hands down the consultants and paramedics saved his life but if you ask the ambulance crew they will say it was me. 'I just dread to think what would have happened if I wasn't in the room or arrived ten minutes later. I think they saved him and they think it was me so we want to let people know how important learning CPR is. 'People keep asking how did I know what to do but I literally didn't. The girl talked me through it on the phone and it was really traumatising as I wasn't completely sure where to put my hands so if you practice it once or twice it would at least give you an idea you're doing the right thing.' When Calum was taken to hospital Nicola was told he would be in a medically induced coma for three days to allow his body to recover. However, the following day he woke himself up and suffered another cardiac arrest. 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The ambulance service also tracked down the call handler who kept Nicola calm, Emma Rocks, to pass on her gratitude. The couple also visited Toni and Jake at their Livingston station to say thanks. The four of them posed for a photo which was uploaded to Facebook by the ambulance service. They wrote: 'A man who had a cardiac arrest at home has been reunited with two of the emergency responders who saved his life. 'Calum and Nicola Beveridge recently stopped by Livingston Ambulance Station to say thanks to Jake Scobie and Toni Gunn. Nicola also gave vital CPR before SAS arrived, with the assistance of a call taker. SORT also attended the incident. 'The couple also presented Jake and Toni with chocolates and a thank you card each to say thanks.'
