A mum who discovered a “rock-hard lump” in her breast pleaded with three doctors to be tested for cancer.

In desperation after a "heated row” with a manager of her health centre, she succeeded in getting a mammogram – and was dealt the devastating news that she had a rare and aggressive form of the deadly disease.

Now she has received compensation and an apology from her GP practice and procedures have been changed.

Among the reasons Kelly Ward, at the time aged 49, claims she was denied the routine check was because she had not reached the age of 50 which is when the NHS breast screening programme starts.

At one point she was advised by a doctor that the 2cm tumour in her right breast could be a chest infection and was sent for an x-ray.

She believes that “shouting” at staff at Wigmore Medical Centre saved her life as surgeons caught the stage one Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in time.

Kelly, mum to 16-year-old Calum, later complained to the health ombudsman and received an apology from the centre and £750 compensation.

The surgery says measures have been put in place to improve work practices, including any patient complaining of a breast lump to be offered an appointment by the next working day.

Former teaching assistant Kelly first went to a GP in October 2021 and asked if she needed a mammogram but was told “there was nothing to worry about”.

Several months passed and Kelly felt the lump was growing and becoming so tender that she had to hold her breasts when going upstairs.

In early January 2022, she returned and saw another doctor who booked her in for an x-ray to have her chest checked, which came back clear.

After eventually getting the examination, she was sent for a biopsy immediately.

She said: "Because of Covid I had to go alone. I remember being introduced to a Macmillan nurse.

“I started shaking. I remember thinking I have cancer. I asked if I was going to die.”

Kelly, now 51, had an operation to remove the tumour and then underwent 10 rounds of gruelling chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.

She said: “I lost my lovely long blonde hair and was very sick.

“It was horrible for my family. I remember my son shaving my head and wearing a wig.”

Kelly “rang the bell” declaring the completion of her treatment in November 2022 and is still undergoing check-ups as her type of cancer has a high chance of coming back.

She said: “Thankfully, they got the cancer out and it had not spread.”

Kelly, who lives in Wigmore with husband Peter, said: “At one point I thought it’s me I’m going mad. But I was not going mad. I knew something was wrong.

“My message would be you know your own body and if you feel things aren’t right keep on until somebody listens. Although you shouldn’t have to do that.”

In a letter from the medical centre in Woodside, a senior GP offered a “sincere apology”.

It read: ”Following the PHSO’s (Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman) investigation into your complaint we acknowledge that you were not given the standard of care that you had a right to expect following your chest x-ray result.

“It has been identified there was a gap in care following your examination by a locum doctor, which delayed the practice from carrying out the treatment plan on receipt of the normal test result.”

After her complaint was registered, the surgery implemented a change in options when results come back negative. Instead of “normal, no action required” being noted, it is now just “normal” indicating that a follow-up may be necessary.

It added: ”The reception team have been made aware that any requests for a mammogram should be explored fully so that red flags can be identified and escalated appropriately.

“It has also been reiterated that all patients complaining of a breast lump should be offered an appointment by the next working day.”

Kelly, who runs her own balloon garland business, now keeps fit by swimming regularly and “living life to the full”.

NHS Kent and Medway ICB, the organisation responsible for the overall integrated care system plan for meeting health needs in the community, has been approached for comment.

The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites all women from the age of 50 to 70 to register with a GP for screening every three years. This means that some people may not have their first screening mammogram until they are 52 or 53 years.