Mum's 'life-saving' chance encounter with doctor after second cancer diagnosis

Nicky Marks, 52, was in remission following a bout of breast cancer 13 years ago and had a routine check up every three years.

But that changed when she bumped into her surgeon Dr Victor Jaffe - twice in a week -while out running in May.

He invited Nicky to bring her next mammogram forward 18 months - and caught a second growth in its early stages.

Senior ward administrator Nicky, from Barnet, said: "I never thought I'd see him again, but he just appeared in front of me.

"I asked if he was Mr Jaffe, and said 'I'm Nicky, one of your survivors', and I can't really explain, but he said 'you look amazing, you're running and that's wonderful'."

But he encouraged her to make an appointment at his clinic for the following week for a check-up - and the baffled mum-of-two thankfully did as she was told.

Nicky, mum to sons Daniel, 28, and Josh, 16, added: "After that he kind of just disappeared, it was like there was no context, he just said that he would see me on Tuesday".

Nicky with her sons Daniel and Josh. Credit: SWNS

After Nicky's daughter promised to pay the £199 fee every year if she promised to get checked up, Nicky attended the check up.

She added: "He checked me and seemed really happy with my progress, said that I was looking fine and sent me off upstairs to have my mammogram, so I bounded up the stairs all smiley and jokey.

"Then the radiographer came out and said 'we found something' on my scan.

"It was such a shock, because I'd never felt better. I just thought, God, not again".

But despite her surprise, Nicky is determined to be positive about her new diagnosis and is now raising money for charity through running to keep her spirits up as she battles cancer for the second time.

She planned to run 5km every day until her surgery and has so far raised more than £8,000 with the help of her family and friends joining in the challenge.

Nicky said: "It can be a bit of a drain waking up every day and having to decide when to run, but my alternative is to wake up every morning and think 'I've got cancer'.

"I think that positive mindset is just so important to think about at the moment."

Nicky Marks pictured with her son Daniel during her first cancer diagnosis in 2009. Credit: SWNS

Nicky, her younger sister Rachel and her son Daniel have now raised over £8,000 through running 5km every day, whilst her older sister Jacquie, is swimming two km every day for the fundraiser in Israel.

Cruise ship guest entertainer Daniel has completed his challenge at sea on a treadmill and on Royal Caribbean's on-ship running track, whilst his sister Sarah donates all her tips made in her hairdressing job in Florida, USA.

The family are raising money for Alyn Children's Hospital in Jerusalem.

Nicky said: "We saw such severely disabled children who had to carry their own wheelchairs up staircases because the hospital was so poor, and because of that my mum was always trying to raise money for the hospital - which is now one of the best in Israel."

Nicky Marks. Credit: SWNS

Often joined by walkers and happy to run with anyone alongside her dog, Monty, Nicky has been booked up with someone new to join her on her five km every day for two weeks.

Nicky said: "What shocked me I think is that people have been so inspired and supportive, some people saying they've taken up running or gone to get their mammogram checks.

"I check myself often, but it's so important that everyone, if they have an appointment, goes and gets a check."

"I used to hate checking myself because I'd worry about what I'd find, but it's so important to know, especially if even a specialist cant find a lump like in my case. I was just so lucky to have been diagnosed so early."

You can find more about Nicky's story and donate on her just giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Nicky-Marks