18-05-2025
West Lothian woman's decision to listen to her body could have been what saved her life
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A West Lothian woman's decision to trust her gut and get her breasts checked could have been what saved her life.
Jill MacGregor, 59, was diagnosed with breast cancer on her 48th birthday back in 2013 after she went to the GP to get a twinge in her breast bone area checked out.
She was sent for a mammogram and what she thought to be a pulled muscle turned out to be a tear in her chest wall muscle - but while specialists were looking for the cause of her pain, they also found an abnormality.
"There was no lump, I had been exercising and I just had a little pain," she said.
"I just thought 'I wonder if I pulled a muscle' and if I'm honest, that probably went on for a few months of really not being too concerned. I think you justify it so I was almost like 'oh it's cycle related' but then I got to a stage where I thought 'you're thinking about this more, so just go and get it checked' so I did.
"My GP was absolutely fantastic, again, she was not in the least bit concerned but because I was at that age, I was 48, so still two years before I would be in the routine screening, she said to me, 'Do you know what, just as routine, I'll send you for a mammogram.
"She said, 'I'm not sending you because I think its anything, it just puts your mind at rest.' I had no worries at all about it and when I went back the consultant said to me, 'I think its been a wee tear in your chest wall muscle, but we just want to send you back along for another mammogram because there's just a wee area, completely unrelated to that that we want to check.'"
Jill went back for another mammogram and was told, on November 28, 2013: "You have breast cancer."
From there, her life was turned upside down and the Edinburgh fitness coach was booked in for a full mastectomy and a course of chemotherapy and radiation.
Thankfully, her treatment worked and she has been cancer free for over 10 years now, and urges others to listen to their bodies and advocate for themselves.
She said: "Don't ignore any symptoms, no matter how small it seems just go to your GP and get an appointment. If you're not happy with the outcome, ask again, go and see somebody else."
Jill has always been actively involved with Cancer Research and would lead the warmups for the Race for Life in Edinburgh and South Queensferry, even before she was diagnosed, but after going through cancer herself, she has only become more involved.
The latest fundraiser she is involved in is to raise money for is a cream tea in aid of Cancer Research taking place in Edinburgh on Saturday, June 7.
"Being able to run events which fundraise is better than just asking people to sponsor you," She continued. "Last year, ran the Paris Marathon to celebrate 10 years cancer free.
"We did lots of fundraising for that, we did quiz nights, afternoon teas, we did the lot and we raised over £6,000 that time so when Elaine said that they were doing the cream tea I just said 'count me in!'
"Through my classes I've been touched with so many of my own members that come to my classes going through the same journey and I'll say, for me 'that's 12 years ago' and sometimes it feels like yesterday and other times you think 'I've left it well and truly behind me' but I think for me, it's really important to be able to give back. I think that's why I'm still so heavily involved with cancer research."
Now she is urging others to come along and support Cancer Research at what is sure to be a fun and social afternoon tea.
She added: "We can all do our own little bit, and I know times are hard, I get that but it's just a nice social afternoon. All we're saying to people is, come along bring a few friends sit down have scones, cake, tea, a wee glass of fizz if you want - a nice afternoon for £6."
The afternoon tea will take place on Saturday, June 7, from 2.30-4pm at the Holy Cross Church on Davidsons Mains.
More information on the event and tickets can be purchased here.
