Cancer survivor Kim Kilgour is leading efforts to raise awareness about the importance of regular breast checking.

The Carlisle mum works on the checkout at Asda’s Kingstown superstore, where colleagues have taken the ‘Pink Pledge’ to help improve early diagnosis.

Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, just before her 50th birthday, after finding a lump while in the shower.

“I saw the doctor, went to the hospital for a biopsy, and was diagnosed within a couple of weeks – everything happened so quickly. It was grade three cancer and had spread to my lymph nodes, so I had to have those taken out, and a lumpectomy too,” she said.

Kim then had chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the Cumberland Infirmary, and had to take a lot of time off work.

But since returning to Asda, she has been championing the supermarket’s Tickled Pink campaign.

This includes introducing pink till receipts and placing cheeky stickers on various fruits and bread baps as a reminder to customers to check themselves.

Across all departments, her Carlisle colleagues have also been dressing in bright pink Tickled Pink t-shirts and tutus, to raise awareness and money.

Kim said: “I wish I could get a megaphone, stand up on the checkouts and shout about the message for women – and men – to regularly check themselves. I can’t stress it enough.

“The new receipts catch your eye, and from that, conversations start about why we’ve got them and how important it is to check yourself. If just one person checks themselves because of them, they’ve done their job.”

She added: “Even before I was diagnosed with breast cancer I was always aware of the risks, and I’ve always told my daughter Kira to check herself regularly. I’ve also told my son Joel to check himself because men can get breast cancer too.”

Kim said the support of her Asda colleagues, particularly Tim Wallace and Nyree Doyle, helped her through a very difficult time, and she was eager to get back to work as soon as possible.

Tim said: “Kim’s an inspiration. She’s had so much to deal with and she’s a great advocate for checking yourself. Everyone at the store is supporting her by telling everyone who’ll listen why it matters so much.”

Kim is now using her experience to help others. She said: “I’ve fought the hardest fight of my life and I’m still here, still positive and still smiling.”

Statistics show that one in two women don’t check their breasts regularly. Yet the earlier breast cancer is detected, the more likely treatment will be a success. Kim is urging everyone to know their body and go to the GP if they spot any changes or lumps.