A MUM has thrown herself into fundraising after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, aged just 32.

Jodie Burdett, of Western Road, Billericay, was a busy solicitor juggling work with looking after her two-year-old daughter Ella when her whole life was turned upside down five weeks ago.

She has already undergone two operations, including a mastectomy, and is due to start chemotherapy this week.

Jodie is urging young women to check themselves for lumps, and hosted her first fundraising event, featuring raffle prices from local businesses, over the weekend in aid of Breast Cancer Care.

Jodie said: “I remember going to bed while my husband was still downstairs watching television, when I felt a pain in my left breast. I touched it and noticed there was a lump there.

“We weren’t particularly worried.

I just booked an appointment at the doctors for the following week.”

She was told by her doctor the lump wasmost likely a cyst, but she was sent to hospital for a mammogram.

The following week, Jodie and husband Ian, 41, were given the devastating news that she had a cancerous tumour.

Jodie added: “I was so shocked.

“I’ve got a two-year-old girl, so my life is just so important.

“Since the diagnosis, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I can’t do anything – people are having to do everything for me.

“The way I look at it is I’ve got to just get on with it. I need to give my body the best possible chance to fight this.

“We’ve told Ella mummy is poorly. Children are so versatile. She knows I can’t pick her up, so she just cuddles my leg.”

Jodie has already shaved her hair off in aid of the Little Princess Trust, but admits she is terrified to begin weekly chemotherapy sessions.

She said: “The side effects sound terrifying. You get bombarded with so much information, but Breast Cancer Care just make everything so clear.

“There are so many young women out there who just wouldn’t even think to check themselves for breast cancer, so if I can raise awareness and save even a few people then it is all worth it.”