{"id":507058,"date":"2026-03-01T09:10:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T09:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/507058\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T09:10:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T09:10:08","slug":"mum-thought-she-had-pulled-a-muscle-but-it-was-breast-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/507058\/","title":{"rendered":"Mum thought she had pulled a muscle but it was breast cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"

A mother from Lancashire who thought she had pulled a muscle discovered she was actually suffering from breast cancer.<\/p>\n

Jo Owens, 42, from Oswaldtwistle, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2024.<\/p>\n

The mum-of-two was immediately referred to the “one-stop breast clinic” at Burnley General Hospital by her GP before finishing radiotherapy in June last year.<\/p>\n

She said she could now see “the light at the end of the tunnel”.<\/p>\n

Jo underwent several tests before being called back to Burnley General Hospital.<\/p>\n

When a consultant radiographer appeared in the room asking about her family history, Owens realised it must be bad news.<\/p>\n

She had the lump removed in November of that year and spent three hours on Christmas Eve discussing the treatment plan with her oncologist, a specialist cancer physician.<\/p>\n

The mum, who works in financial services, managed to squeeze in a short holiday in between her round of chemotherapy ending and radiotherapy starting at the Rosemere Centre in Preston in May last year.<\/p>\n

According to Cancer Research UK, Owens is one of 45,800 people in the North-West diagnosed with cancer each year.<\/p>\n

\"Jo<\/p>\n

Owens ringing the celebratory bell after getting the all clear last year [Jo Owens]<\/p>\n

Owens said: “It’s been the toughest time going through treatment [and] cancer isn’t something people should have to face alone.<\/p>\n

“While I always had my sister Michelle with me at chemotherapy, I didn’t take anyone with me to the radiotherapy sessions and I completely regret that decision as it was a lonely time.<\/p>\n

“My family, friends and work colleagues kept me going throughout and now I feel I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and making a good recovery,” she said.<\/p>\n

Since the all-clear, Owens has campaigned with Cancer Research UK on their annual Race for Life project, seeking to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.<\/p>\n

Since the project began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life, funding 30-years-worth of cancer work by the charity.<\/p>\n

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds<\/a> and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.<\/p>\n