'I thought I was too young for breast cancer'

Rachael Kershaw was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 30s

A woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer twice has said she did not think a lump she found was life threatening because she was too young.

Rachael Kershaw, from Dorset, took part in a 100km (62 miles) trek across the Saharan Desert to raise money for CoppaFeel!, the breast cancer charity.

It took five days and she was joined by 128 other women, including celebrities Giovanna Fletcher, Millie Mackintosh and Ashley James.

At the age of 31, Rachael found a lump by accident: "I wasn't a self-checker, because I, like lots of people, don't think of breast cancer as being something that young people get."

She has raised more than £5,000 in the name of "checking chests" and getting younger people to CoppaFeel!.

"Breast cancer sadly has had a massive impact on my life, with my first diagnosis being in 2005 and more recently again in 2021," Rachael told the BBC.

"I am forever grateful for all the help, support and treatment I have received over the years.

"One of the main reasons I am still here is that in both occasions my cancer was caught early enough to treat."

She said it was important for young people to check for lumps regularly: "Make sure that you know what your norm feels like.

"Everybody's norm is different, I was just very fortunate that I found my lump.

"I wasn't a checker, I obviously am now and 100% would encourage people to do it regularly because it really makes such a difference and can save your life."

CoppaFeel! encourages young people to check their breasts and campaigned to get cancer awareness on to the school curriculum.

It was founded in 2009 by Kristin Hallenga and her twin sister Maren after Kristin was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer aged 23. She died in 2024 at the age of 38.