BRADFORD singer Abi Otway has turned to music to highlight how her husband saved her life.

Abi discovered she had a lump the size of a pea in her breast after her husband Marc felt it as they cuddled. She was diagnosed with Grade 2-3 breast cancer and had recent surgery to remove the lump.

Now recovering, in self isolation, at her Low Moor home, she and Marc, who are in local band Mookie + the Bab, have posta Cheeky Fondle song on Facebook - to the tune of Matt Lucass Thank You Baked Potato internet hit.

Abi, 34, says that, although their song is fun, it has a serious message. I never checked my boobs because, like a lot of women, I was scared of what I might find. If Marc hadnt found the lump, it might have been too late, she said. I couldnt feel it at all when I was sitting down or standing up. I only felt it while lying down, on my side. When Marc found it I knew it was something sinister, but the doctor initially struggled to find a lump and told me to go back in 14 days. Im young and healthy, with no family history of breast cancer.

Abi was referred to the breast clinic at St Lukes Hospital. I had an ultrasound then a biopsy and a mammogram, which didnt show up the lump. It was under the breast, quite far back. I had to wait a week then I was diagnosed, on February 27.

The next day, she and Marc had a concert booked in Bradford. That was a very hard gig to do, said Abi, who managed to have surgery shortly before the Government put the UK on lockdown. I feel lucky that I had my operation on March 10, because so many people with cancer are now having their treatments put on hold. Its a horrible situation to be in, she said. I was already isolating, as I didnt want to catch the virus from anyone ahead of my surgery. But its at times like this that you really want to see family and friends, and that cant happen right now.

But then I think Im lucky because Marc and I were meant to be spending March singing on a cruise ship in Tahiti. Its something we dont normally do, but we were being paid and thought wed treat it as a holiday too. We could have ended up stuck on a ship, with my lump going untreated.

While Abi doesnt need chemotherapy, because the cancer hasnt spread to her lymph nodes, she is due to start radiotherapy later this month. Thats unless I get the virus, or they dont have enough staff, she said.

She is urging women to check their breasts for lumps or other abnormal signs. If your partner is checking, that helps, but if youre on your own Id say schedule a check into your diary, said Abi. And dont just do it standing up or sitting down - you need to check yourself lying down and on your side too.

I try to eat healthily and Im generally careful about my lifestyle. My cancer was hormone-related, so Ive been looking into what kind of things can affect hormones.

Fitness instructor Abi has worked as an actor, appearing in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, as well as a singer. As Issimo, she and Marc gained a UK-wide fanbase and now they have a new band, Mookie + the Bab, and plan to release a single shortly.

Were a four-piece, with a stripped back, acoustic folk sound, said Abi. We cant get in the studio at the moment but were going to release a live single, called I Will Be. Its an upbeat song, which I think we all need right now.

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Abi Otway's 'Cheeky Fondle' song highlights breast cancer ordeal - Bradford Telegraph and Argus

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