Mum thought she had pulled a muscle but it was breast cancer

10 hours ago

Richard BakerNorth West

Jo Owens initially went to the doctor after thinking she had pulled a muscle in her chest

Jo Owens Jo smiles at the camera in a self-shot picture. She has no hair after chemotherapy and has dark eyes. — Jo Owens initially went to the doctor after thinking she had pulled a muscle in her chest

A mother from Lancashire who thought she had pulled a muscle discovered she was actually suffering from breast cancer.

Jo Owens, 42, from Oswaldtwistle, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2024.

The mum-of-two was immediately referred to the "one-stop breast clinic" at Burnley General Hospital by her GP before finishing radiotherapy in June last year.

She said she could now see "the light at the end of the tunnel".

Jo underwent several tests before being called back to Burnley General Hospital.

When a consultant radiographer appeared in the room asking about her family history, Owens realised it must be bad news.

She had the lump removed in November of that year and spent three hours on Christmas Eve discussing the treatment plan with her oncologist, a specialist cancer physician.

The mum, who works in financial services, managed to squeeze in a short holiday in between her round of chemotherapy ending and radiotherapy starting at the Rosemere Centre in Preston in May last year.

According to Cancer Research UK, Owens is one of 45,800 people in the North-West diagnosed with cancer each year.

Owens ringing the celebratory bell after getting the all clear last year

Jo Owens Jo Owens stands to the right of the picture, smiling and ringing the celebratory bell to signify being cancer clear. She wears a denim jacket and has wrapped a piece of dark fabric over her head. — Owens ringing the celebratory bell after getting the all clear last year

Owens said: "It's been the toughest time going through treatment [and] cancer isn't something people should have to face alone.

"While I always had my sister Michelle with me at chemotherapy, I didn't take anyone with me to the radiotherapy sessions and I completely regret that decision as it was a lonely time.

"My family, friends and work colleagues kept me going throughout and now I feel I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and making a good recovery," she said.

Since the all-clear, Owens has campaigned with Cancer Research UK on their annual Race for Life project, seeking to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.

Since the project began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life, funding 30-years-worth of cancer work by the charity.

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