Brave Kilmarnock woman battles breast cancer twice

Nov 6 2009 by Lizzie Struthers, Kilmarnock Standard

BRAVE Katie McQueen has battled back from breast cancer TWICE.

After surviving leukaemia as a teenager, the single mum has had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, aged just 28.

Doctors gave Katie, of Kilmarnock, the all-clear this week.

Katie was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 24.

She underwent a seven-hour operation to have a mastectomy and then radical reconstructive surgery to move a muscle from her back to form a new breast.

Eight weeks ago, doctors told the hairdresser she would have to relive the nightmare as precancerous cells had been found in her left breast during a routine mammogram.

“I was devastated,” said Katie.

“I wondered why at my age have I had to have two cancers.

“I tried to keep my life as normal as possible but it is a hard thing to deal with.”

Katie admits her determination to beat breast cancer came from her special bond with six-year-old daughter Molly, a pupil at Annanhill Primary School.

“I think what has kept me strong is having to be strong for Molly,” said Katie.

“I must thank all my family and friends too who have supported me over the past three-and-a-half years.”

Her friends Lyndsey Petchey and Claire Henry are hosting a cancer charity fundraiser this Saturday in the Ardencaple Hotel, Helensburgh, in honour of Katie.

Katie’s incredible story has seen her become an inspiration to many others battling with breast cancer. She was filmed for a BBC 2 documentary called My New Breast following her recovery from her reconstructive surgery after her first mastectomy to her second diagnosis.

Katie has been invited to speak to top surgeons and doctors in England about the benefits of reconstructive surgery.

Said Katie: “I want people to be aware that breast cancer doesn’t just affect people aged over 50. There is a lot of young people just like me.”