Three sisters who were all diagnosed with cancer within six weeks of each other are advising others to see a doctor as soon as possible if they suspect something is wrong with their health.
Katie Warrent, 30, was diagnosed with stage two bowel cancer in November 2014. Her sister, Kristal Ford-Spencer, 33, was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer a few weeks later in early December.
After hearing the devastating news that her two sisters had cancer, Cassie Ford, 31, also had tests at the hospital. The trio were shocked when she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer.
"It's an eye opener when professionals say they have never come across a family history like ours. This kind of thing can happen, clearly, so make the most of every day and if something doesn't feel right get a second opinion because it's your life - trust yourself and take care of yourself," Katie said, according to the Daily Mail.
Kristal Ford-Spencer, Cassie Ford and Katie Warrent
The sisters do not have a history of breast cancer or bowel cancer in their family.
They were diagnosed with cancer just as their mum was celebrating 20 years of being in remission from ovarian cancer.
Katie, the first to be diagnosed, began experiencing severe stomach ache and bloating in the summer of 2014. It was only after four months of tests that she was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
"Because of my age and having no history they (doctors) didn't consider it...but when I found out, yes it was scary, but I was just thinking 'thank God it isn't Kristal or Cassie'," she said.
The mum-of-one had most of her bowel removed and underwent six months of chemotherapy.
While undergoing treatment, Katie also has to deal with the news that her older sister, Kristal, had breast cancer.
Kristal had felt a lump in her breast earlier that year but ignored it. When she went to the doctors a few months later, they sent her for an urgent mammogram.
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The doctors discovered Kristal had a 14cm lump in her left breast and she was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. She had the lump surgically removed on the same day that Katie went into surgery to have her tumour removed.
As both of her sisters had been diagnosed with cancer, a doctor suggested Cassie should also have some tests done and showed her how to complete a breast examination at home.
A few weeks later Cassie felt a lump in her breast while self-examining and saw a doctor for a second opinion. She was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer.
The three sisters have supported each other through surgery, chemotherapy and losing their hair. Now, they want to raise awareness about cancer so other people do not delay getting help when they need it.
"We just do what we have to do - there are many people with cancer and everyone handles it in their own way but we just need to spread the message that it doesn't matter if you don't have it in your family it can happen to you," Cassie said.
Kristal and Cassie are now recovering, but Katie has recently found out her cancer has returned, meaning she'll need more treatment.
A friend of the family has recently set up a GoFundMe page to raise money so that Katie and her husband Dale can go on a much-deserved holiday.
