Katrina Turner was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and in an effort to raise awareness, she is sharing her experience.

Thirty-six-year-old Katrina, who is an orthopaedics nurse at Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast, found out she had stage two invasive lobular carcinoma in October 2016. Nine months on, she has undergone surgery, radiotherapy with hormone treatment continuing for a number of years but an early cancer diagnosis meant her prognosis was good. In conversation with The Irish News, Katrina explained how she underwent regular self-checking.

"My consultant said I was lucky to have found the lump because it was on the inner side of the breast, towards the breast bone and was deep into the tissue. "But because I had been checking regularly for years, I recognised it was different. "And that's what I want people to do; look out for changes and seek medical help if they find something of concern".

Pic#133. SO!! I received an email today from Action Cancer to let me know that ALL of the breast screening appointments on the Big Bus on 29th July have been filled! I am beyond delighted so well done all of you for booking in and spreading the word, fantastic! That's all 24 appointments taken woop! As for the health checks which are available for both men and women from age 16 upwards, there are 7 left so please fill them up ??? It's all systems go now for this fundraiser (at Ballycastle Seafront 11am-10:30pm!) which will be raising money for Friends of the Cancer Centre, City Hospital Belfast, where I was looked after so amazingly well during my surgery, treatment and since. There is so much happening on the day so PLEASE put it in your diaries if you haven't already done so! I'll be getting a bit of PR sorted soon so will keep reminding y'all! And so to update, life with me is going really well ? I'm still not back on all cylinders just yet but am taking life, work, gigs etc easy and testing the water to see how much I can do...only way to do it really. I'm still getting pretty tired at times etc but trying to learn how to manage that along with getting back into the swing of things. I have an appointment with my breast care Nurse on Wednesday to discuss how things are going and to get a few things off my chest (excuse the pun ?) so it'll be good to have a chat and get some reassurance about a few things that are on my mind ? So aside from a few little niggling things which I'm sure will lessen as time goes on, life is bloody good! I'm enjoying it as much as I can and seeing the amazing world around me with new eyes which is pretty damn good ❤️ Positivity reigning as ever with lots being sent from me to you ?❤️?❤️ www.katrinakickingcancer.com#kickcancersass? #positivevibes #fundraiser #BallycastleBigDayOut #lovelife @friends_of_the_cancer_centre @actioncancer @breast_cancer_care @breastcancer_awareness @breastcancernow @macmillancancer @cr_uk @standup2canceruk

A post shared by katrina_kicking_cancer (@katrina_kicking_cancer) on May 29, 2017 at 1:17pm PDT

Katrina believes that self-checking saved her life because otherwise, she wouldn't have worried until she started to feel unwell and at that point, things could have been much more serious. The Antrim native started a blog, Katrina's Kicking Cancer, to document her journey and there are numerous posts explaining how it's so important to be aware of changes in your body. As well as encouraging people to self-check their bodies, Katrina is fundraising for the Friends of the Cancer Centre, a Northern-Ireland based charity that helped her during her treatment. To give back and say thank you, she is hosting a Big Day Out in Ballycastle, Co Antrim this coming Saturday, 29th July.

Pic#140. So! Finally got poster sorted and here it is! There'll be some going up around town tomorrow and a few other places as a reminder for the 'Big Day Out' this Saturday 29th July! Can't believe it's this week eek!! Really looking forward to it and to seeing you all there for some fundraising fun ❤️ Also a reminder for anyone who would very kindly like to either bake/donate baked goods for the bake sale ? Please pm me to let me know what you can bring and then just drop it down that morning before 11am please and thanks so much! And don't forget if you're travelling that morning, the roads from Armoy to Ballycastle close at 10am for the road races so best to get through before then. There'll be a diversion in place but could be lengthy so just so you know ? Busy week ahead but all worth it, bring it on! ?❤️?❤️#BallycastleBigDayOut #fundraiser #kickcancersass? #communitysupport #positivevibes #prayingforsunshine @friends_of_the_cancer_centre @coppafeelpeople @breast_cancer_care @breastcancer_awareness @breastcancernow

A post shared by katrina_kicking_cancer (@katrina_kicking_cancer) on Jul 23, 2017 at 11:02pm PDT

Main image via Instagram: Katrina Kicking Cancer