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Beverley Godsell, 62, had no lumps or symptoms when a routine mammogram detected a mass in her breasts in August 2021.

Just five hours after her biopsy, she was diagnosed with stage one cancer and in her right breast and stage two on the left.

The grandmother-of-two underwent a scan which involved injecting blue dye into her bloodstream to detect the lymph nodes, making them easier to find and remove to look for signs of cancer.

Luckily, results showed that it was localized to her breasts.

After undergoing a lumpectomy in October 2021 to remove the tumors, Beverley had 15 sessions of radiotherapy to "blast" any remaining cancer cells.

Despite finishing treatment, the blue dye that was used "refused" to fade from her chest.

Referring to them as her "blue boobs" she was loving nicknamed "bluetit", "Smurfette" and "Avatar" by family, including husband, Brian, 64.

After treatment, Beverley was told "no evidence of disease" but must take a hormone suppressant drug for five years.

NHS guidance says the color from the blue dye will stay in the breast area for "several months, but it is not dangerous and will gradually fade" and "very rarely, the staining can last for more than one year".

Beverley, retired swimming teacher, from Southend, Essex, said: "For nearly three years I had blue boobs - much to the amusement of friends and family.

"I was known as Blue Tit, Smurfette and Avatar.

"I love all the nicknames - they acknowledge that I'm a fighter.

"I had no lumps and/or symptoms when diagnosed.

"It's so important woman go to their routine mammograms.

"My doctors said by the time I would have felt a lump, it would have been too late.

"I wouldn't be here today without it."

After her routine mammogram, Beverley received a letter from the Nightingale Centre in Southend, Essex, asking her to attend an appointment.

"I was poked and prodded for hours and I knew something was wrong," she said.

"I left the appointment and just dissolved into my husband's arms.

"There was a sinking realisation it was going to be cancer."

A week later, in September 2021, Beverley was called back into the hospital to discuss the results.

Doctors broke the news that she had hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in both breasts.

This cancer has receptors for hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which likely "fueled" the cancer's growth.

Beverley said: "You hear the word cancer and you think the worst.

"It was quite rare to have it both breasts at the same time.

"But as a teaching hospital, the surgery was going to perform on one while a student did the other at the same time."

Before surgery, Beverley underwent a scan which involved injecting blue dye into her bloodstream.

"Doctors follow the blue dye to find the tiny lymph nodes under your armpit," she said.

"Luckily, the cancer hadn't spread to them.

"But I woke up and my boobs were blue - nobody tells you!

"It was a bit of a shock."

The surgery went successfully as doctors removed the cancerous tumors.

Beverley didn't need chemotherapy, and underwent radiotherapy on New Year's Day on January 1 2022.

She had what doctors called a 'megablast' - involving 15 sessions over five days to target any remaining cancer cells.

She found support with the charity and Bosom Pals - who she called a "godsend".

Beverley said: "Ladies - especially mums - have a tendency to say we're 'fine' even when we're not.

"But all need help and support.

"Getting involved with Breast Cancer Now has been amazing.

"Without cancer, I wouldn't have done half the things I have.

"It's open a lot of doors and I've met the most inspiring people.

"I'm very lucky to be here today."

She is supporting the charity in August 2025.