A LARGS mum has told how she begged doctors for eight months to check her for cancer - only to find out she has the disease and it has spread.

Lauren Trainer, 27, fought for medics to carry out tests after finding a lump in her breast.

But she says her concerns weren't taken seriously because of her age and after a check by hand, she was sent away from hospital.

Lauren added: “I had several doctor appointments, emergency referrals knocked back and a hospital visit in October but they just sent me away.

“There were no scans, no mammogram, nothing at all because of my age, which is really concerning."

Lauren, who lives with partner Ryan and daughter Katie, kept pushing for more tests was told four weeks ago that she has cancer – eight months after first telling doctors something was wrong.

The 27-year-old has been left angry that her initial concerns were not taken seriously.

She said: “Just over a month ago I was finally diagnosed with breast cancer, which has spread into my lymph nodes.

“It was a shock, but not a total shock as I had been trying to tell them something was wrong since I found a lump in September."

“My fear is that some people might be too shy to speak up and they won’t keep going back like I did - and if other people are being told no I don’t want it to be too late for them.”

Lauren is urging people who have doubts about their health to keep pushing for a proper diagnosis to avoid a repeat of the eight months of agony she has had to endure.

She said: “If something doesn’t feel right insist on it being property checked. It was my mum and grandparents that talked me into going back to doctors time and time again.

“When I was up on the ward, I was the youngest person there. Everyone else was over 50 but they told me the youngest person to test for breast cancer in the last few months was 18, so it can affect younger people.

“I am furious that I was never looked at properly. Just because I am under 40 they assumed it would be non-cancerous.

“It’s not right that it is simply put down to hormones and it’s not right that under 40s don't get a mammogram in this country.

“My advice would be simply don’t take no for an answer. I am an example that even though it’s rare, cancer can happen at any age. I would hate anyone to go through this.”

Lauren has started her treatment and knows she faces a hard fight, but thanked those closest to her for their support during a difficult time.

She said: “I'm so thankful that a doctor finally pushed and I was eventually taken seriously and scans, mammograms and biopsies carried out. If that hadn't happened, I dread to think where I would be.

“I have a long road ahead of me and I have already started chemotherapy.

“My other half, my family and my friends have been absolutely amazing. I honestly don't know where I would be without them all.”

A spokesperson for Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board said: “We are sorry to hear this patient’s experience may have caused them additional anxiety at what will be a difficult time.

"We would be very keen for them to get in touch to discuss this so we can provide reassurance and answer any questions they might have. Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on individual patient cases in the media, however, we can confirm all patients referred to the NHSGGC breast service are managed according to national guidelines and appropriately assessed and followed up where required.”