A WOMAN who had a three-inch breast cancer tumour hidden under fatty tissue ran the Race for Life on Saturday while still receiving chemotherapy.

Donna Nail, who manages Johnsons Cleaners on Glebe Street, developed a lump on her breast three years ago but scan after scan came back clear and doctors told her it was just fatty tissue.

“I had lost a lot of weight and found a lump,” said Ms Nail, 52.

“I went for a scan and it was completely clear. I was referred to a specialist and had an ultrasound but it just came back as a fat lump.

“The following year I turned 50. I went to the mobile unit for a scan and it was clear, and that was that.

“Then last year I lost more weight, a total of five stone in weight loss, and the lump had got bigger. But I just carried on as normal.”

But in August last year Ms Nail, who is from Newport, noticed puckered skin at the side of her breast.

Then, just before Christmas she developed terrible pain on her breast and a further lump near the nipple. She went back to the doctor and was sent for more scans.

She said: “I had a mammogram on January 4 which came back clear and then went for an ultrasound on January 6, which did not.

“They did a biopsy there and then and then I went back the next week for a full mastectomy. It was a single three inch tumour.”

Ms Nail had a total of 17 lymph nodes removed, seven of which were cancerous. She is now undergoing a course of chemotherapy which will then be followed by radiotherapy.

But despite her treatment, on Sunday, Ms Nail ran a Race for Life for charity with her rescue dog, golden retriever Bella.

So far she has raised over £1,000 thanks to sponsorship and donations.

“It was brilliant,” she said. “I loved it. So many people didn’t think I could do it, but at the end I thought I could do another five kilometres.

“We also lost a manager at Johnson’s two years ago from cancer so I was doing it for her too.”

She added: “I don’t blame the doctors in any way. I always say there’s a reason in life for everything and this is one of them. It’s meant to be.”

Carolyn Rogers, clinical nurse specialist at charity Breast Cancer Care, said: "We would encourage anyone who notices a change in their breast to report it to their GP.

“Getting to know your breasts is vital. There’s no right or wrong way to check your breasts, it’s about looking and feeling regularly, so any unusual changes can be spotted quickly. And it’s not just a lump – other symptoms can include a nipple becoming inverted or a change in texture of the skin."