Bury St Edmunds woman Jess Old, 35, shares breast cancer journey as she gears up for The MoonWalk in London

A Bury St Edmunds woman diagnosed with breast cancer aged 35 is sharing her story as she gears up to take on a marathon.

Jess Old said her diagnosis earlier this year came out of the blue, but it was caught early and she finished active treatment last month.

She hopes taking part in The MoonWalk, in London, on May 16 next year will highlight the importance of checking for signs of cancer – she said by doing so she saved her own life.

She will take on the Full Moon challenge and will walk 26.2 miles.

Jess said: “It’s great to know people taking part in The MoonWalk help to fund so many cancer services and charities which help support people just like me.

“It’s going to be very special taking on the challenge with my mum, sister and my best friend as they’ve been there for me throughout my entire journey.

“I’ve never done a marathon and never felt I had a reason as such, but now I do. It’s wonderful to have it as a goal as I get back to full fitness.”

Before her diagnosis, Jess said she was ‘not religious’ about checking her breasts but did it regularly.

When she found a lump, she contacted her GP immediately.

Doctors were wary it could be a cyst, having found one previously in 2021.

Jess said: “I was so grateful all the doctors had taken me seriously, even though I was very young.

“The news was a huge shock and came totally out of the blue. We have no family history of breast cancer and on top of that, you never think that it’s actually going to be you.

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate because you’re young. It can affect anyone.”