Woman praises her designer TOTE for helping to stop her disease in its tracks 

A woman says she has her handbag to thank for doctors diagnosing her cancer before it was too late. 

Jade Lagden, 29, from Chessington, Surrey, was given a Michael Kors tote at the end of July – but despite being over the moon with her new designer purchase, she started struggling with extreme shoulder and neck pain.

She went to the doctor where she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, and though her illness is incurable, Jade says she’s grateful for the chance to prolong her time with her 11-year-old son.

Jade Lagden has praised her Michael Kors bag for helping her get diagnosed with cancer after experiencing shoulder pain 

At first Jade assumed the pain was a pulled muscle from her new bag but six weeks later, after being referred for further scans, the mother was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in her liver and lymph nodes. 

Jade is now being treated with high doses of chemotherapy in a bid to shrink her tumours. 

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She is sharing her story to raise awareness for breast cancer in young women and hopes others will get any unusual pains checked. 

Jade, a former primary school supervisor, said: ‘My handbag was heavy so when I started getting shoulder pain, I assumed it was a pulled muscle because it was full of my belongings.

‘But as the weeks passed, the pain got worse and I have no doubt carrying the bag on my shoulder caused it to become more intense.

The mother- of-one already battled breast cancer at the age of 25 (pictured) but was in remission and had no idea the cancer had returned

After experiencing shoulder pain Jade visited the doctors who helped diagnose and treat the cancer and now Jade is hoping to make more memories with her son Taylor (pictured)

‘It was because of this that I decided to book a doctor’s appointment and I was diagnosed so quickly.

‘I had a CT and bone scan which detected secondary cancer that had spread to my liver and surrounding lymphnodes.

‘I was devastated as I’d already battled breast cancer at 25 in 2013 and was in remission.

‘But I am thankful that I caught the cancer when I did as at least I can have treatment and create more memories with my son, Taylor, now 11.’

The mother-of- one was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in her liver and lymphnodes

Jade’s cancer is incurable but she is hoping as the doctors caught it sooner rather than later, that she will be able to live a longer life. Pictured: Jade with best friend Leiann (left)

Jade was treated to the bag by her partner, Tony Diggins, and couldn’t wait to start wearing it – but just days later, the pain in her shoulder and neck started.

She added: ‘It started suddenly but as the weeks passed, it got worse.

‘I wasn’t going to stop wearing my new bag and I assumed if it was a pulled muscle, that it would heal on its own.

‘But sadly this wasn’t the case and after I went to the doctors, I was diagnosed with cancer for the second time.

‘I’d undergone chemotherapy, radiotherapy, a mastectomy and full reconstruction in 2015 after battling breast cancer.

Jade, who was given her bag by her partner Tony, says she still carries it around

‘I was later told I had the BRCA gene – which causes hereditary breast cancer – and I didn’t want to risk it ever coming back so I had both boobs removed.

‘It was such a shock that my neck and shoulder pain was linked to my liver, apparently we all have a nerve from the liver to the neck.

‘There was also some pain in my ribs but I had no idea I was battling the symptoms of cancer again, if anything I thought I was being over cautious about my pulled muscle.

‘Thankfully I have amazing friends and partner, Tony, who have all done their best to keep my spirits high.’

Jade has also praised her friends Leiann Beach and Zoe Corcoran for their support. 

She added: ‘Leiann and Zoe have literally been my rocks, with Zoe and her work colleague, Hannah Forbes, doing a sky dive for my fundraising page.’ 

Jade has been told that her cancer is incurable but she is hopeful doctors will be able to stabilise her tumours so they do not continue to spread.

She added: ‘I have never asked anyone for a penny in my life but after my diagnosis Zoe set up a fundraising page for me.

‘They wanted to ensure I created as many memories with Taylor as possible, I might not be here when he finishes secondary school but I’m remaining positive that I will.

‘Zoe and Hannah will be jumping out of a plane which is incredible and it’s all so I can enjoy family days out.’

Jade will have six rounds of chemotherapy followed by scans to check on her progress.

She said: ‘I haven’t been able to have the last two doses as the treatment is so strong it was damaging my liver.

‘But the pain has subsided slightly and when I go out, I still take my handbag everywhere.

‘I love it and if it wasn’t for my new bag, I might not have experienced such severe pain and my cancer could have spread further.’