PROMISE I MADE

Lucy Morgan, 38, from Leicester, was saved by Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding.

- KATIE PEARSON AND HANNAH CROCKER

Cutting up veg for dinner, I started bopping as a song came on the radio.I love this one, I thought as I hummed.

Girls Aloud were one of my favourite bands – I loved them on Popstars: The Rivals back in the day, and I’d seen them live.

I danced around the kitchen, singing along to Sound of the Underground as I finished making tea before my kids Eva, 15, and Charlie, 12, got home from school.

That night, back in September last year, I was sitting watching TV with my husband Rob, 38, when the news came on.

‘Sarah Harding has passed away after a battle with breast cancer,’ the newsreader said.

My hand flew to my mouth. She was only 39. I knew she’d been sick, but it was still a shock.

‘Oh my God, she’s around my age,’ I said to Rob. ‘I never check my boobs.’

I knew it was something I should do – but I was young and had no health issues.

I never thought anything like that could happen to me.

But it happened to Sarah. And her death made me think about it.

So that night, I took my bra off, got into bed and started checking myself.

I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I just gave it a go, moving my hand around.

As I used the palm of my hand to push my right boob up, I suddenly felt a hard grape-shaped lump.

I recoiled in horror. ‘Rob,’ I said. ‘I’ve found a lump in my boob.’ ‘Don’t be silly,’ he said. ‘No really,’ I said. ‘Feel it.’

He did, and when hetouched it, the colour drained from his face.

That night I lay awake, staring at the ceiling.