A young mum is fighting for her life after a lump that she thought was a blocked milk duct was actually breast cancer.
Vicki Keating, 28, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in November after finding a lump shortly after the birth of her daughter, Rey Flower.
The mum-of-two, who was not breastfeeding at the time, assumed the lump was due to a blocked milk duct - something nurses initially agreed with.
But after further tests, which included a biopsy, Vicki was told the lump wasn't pregnancy-related and she actually had grade three breast cancer.
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In a bid to save her life, she started chemotherapy just before Christmas and recently completed her final round.
The catering assistant, who is now set to have a double mastectomy, is sharing her story to warn other young women to check their breasts.
Vicki, from Birmingham, West Mids, said: "I wasn't too worried when I first felt a lump in my breast shortly after the birth of my daughter, Rey [now aged eight months].
"I assumed it was linked to my recent pregnancy and the doctor agreed it was most likely to be a blocked milk duct.
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"Even after I was referred for an ultrasound and the lump was discovered by nurses, they assumed the fluid inside was actually just milk.
"But thankfully they didn't stop their tests there and the lump had a biopsy taken from it.
"Three weeks later I received a letter which asked that I returned to hospital for my results.
"I went along on my own as I assumed the lump was benign.
"I never imagined I'd be diagnosed with cancer at such a young age.
"Thankfully doctors don't think it has spread but they won't know until I have surgery."
Vicki, also mum to 11-year-old Grayson Rainbow, has decided she wants to undergo a double mastectomy next month to ensure her triple negative cancer doesn't return.
She added: "The type of cancer I have doesn't respond to any type of hormonal treatment so after chemotherapy and surgery there's no other options for me.
"I have to make a full recovery for my kids.
"Doctors haven't advised a double mastectomy but I know there's a chance I could get cancer again in my other breast.
"I don't want to take that risk and want them both removed at the same time.
"I will then undergo surgery at a later date to have them both reconstructed.
"I was asked if I wanted fertility treatment before my chemotherapy but as I already have two children I decided against it."
Vicki - who has lost her hair due to chemotherapy - started a blog to document her experiences with cancer at a young age to help others.
She said: "I've been lucky to have a supportive partner, Gavin Flower, 27, and family but I wanted to start my blog to help raise awareness.
"It 100 per cent can happen to anyone. I've known from the day I was diagnosed that I didn't want to be quiet about it.
"I want everyone to know that breast cancer does occur in your 20's.
"Young women need to be aware that they need to check their breasts for lumps and regardless of whether you think it's related to your pregnancy or not, push for further tests."
To read more visit Tales Of The Triple Negative Boobie on Facebook.
