A BRAVE Gourock woman who has battled breast cancer twice is taking part in a charity midnight walk to help other patients.

Karen Monk will be among thousands on Cancer Research UK’s ‘Shine Walk’ 10k on Saturday.

This is the charity’s first 10k night walk in Glasgow, and Karen is doing it in memory of her mum, Margaret Boland of Port Glasgow, who passed away in April after suffering liver cancer.

Karen will be joined on the walk by her cousins, Carol McNair and Lynda Connell of Kilmacolm.

It will be an emotional occasion for all of them, but one they are looking forward to as they demonstrate their support for cancer research.

Karen, 52, a teacher at Craigmarloch School in Port Glasgow, was first diagnosed in 2009 after she found a lump.

She had to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and was given the all-clear.

So she was surprised when she was diagnosed again in 2015 during a routine check-up.

Karen told the Tele: “I was feeling fine but I had to have an operation and chemotherapy.

“It made me very tired, and I was off work.

“My experience shows how important it is to go along for regular mammogram check-ups.

“The second time it was deeper, so by the time I had found it myself it would have been much more difficult to treat.

“Check-ups are offered to women aged 50 and over, but apparently a lot don’t go.

“They shouldn’t be put off by people saying the procedure is painful.

“It’s uncomfortable for only 30 seconds — that’s half-a-minute that could save your life.

“You can’t always rely on self-examination if the lump is deeper.”

Karen says her husband John, daughter Mirran, 18, and 16-year-old son Andrew have been a great support and comfort to her.

Now excitement is building towards Saturday’s big event, when the walkers will be waving glow sticks and wearing feather boas as they wind their way over Bell’s Bridge, along to George Square, up by the Royal Concert Hall, the King’s Theatre and down past Glasgow Central station and the Armadillo.

Karen said: “I’m feeling fine now, and I go to the Gourock pool and gym regularly. I’ve run 10ks in the past for cancer research in Glasgow, and I’m hoping there will be a good crowd there on Saturday night.”

To sponsor Karen, go to https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/#q=Team+Karen