LITTLE miracle Leo is a beacon for never giving up hope.

For Leo’s mum was given only a ONE PER CENT chance of having children following treatment for an aggressive form of breast cancer.

But biochemist Dr Claire Lloyd, 41, and her husband John, 40, astounded the experts and Claire now wants to help others beat the odds.

Now Claire has told cancer exactly what she thinks of it – by posing with Leo, 3,for defiant photos in a bid to get more women to enter Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

Like a host of celebrities, including the chart topping girl band Little Mix, Claire had the gutsy message ‘Beat it, cancer’ painted on her body to capture the fighting spirit of this year’s events in Hampshire.

Thousands have already entered the 5k women-only events but many more are needed.

Claire, from St Mary Bourne, was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was just 34 after finding a lump by chance when she brushed her hand against her breast.

Tests confirmed she had an aggressive type of cancer which, luckily, had not spread to her lymph nodes.

Shock She had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy before finishing her treatment early in 2007. She has had regular check-ups and mammograms since.

Claire said: “It was a real shock when I was diagnosed. I had not been expecting that.

There is no history of cancer in my family and I felt I was in good health.”

At the time Claire was pursuing a career in healthcare marketing and had no children.

Claire was offered an opportunity to have her eggs harvested but the process would have delayed the start of her treatment.

“I wanted to live and wanted doctors to get on with the treatment. I was given a drug to try to protect my ovaries but we were warned by doctors the chances of me conceiving after the cancer treatment were still only one per cent.

“It was remarkable I managed to get pregnant with Leo. I had finished my treatment almost three years before but I had not reached the magic 5-year clear stage, so I was scared.

“There is not much information out there about women in my situation”.

But doctors kept a close eye on Claire, and Leo was born just over three years ago.

Claire added: “He is our little miracle.There are sadoutcomes from cancer butI want people to know there are also positive ones and my family very much demonstrates that”.

Claire and her mum, Pat, from Whitchurch, have taken part in Race for Life together since 2007.

“Inthe early days,that wasmy way of getting back to fitness.

But it is more than that. It is nice to be able to get together and raise money for research at the same time.

That is why Claire had the powerful message to cancer painted onto her body to encourage women in Hampshire to sign up to Race for Life.

Rachel Northover, Race for life events manager, said: “By having the words ‘Beat it Cancer’ painted on her body, Claire is part of a huge, united force that is determined to defeat cancer.

“Claire got her own back on cancer in a most spectacular way by having Leo.

“It is stories like that which makes us feel so passionately about recruiting more women to join Race for Life.

“Research saves lives and we want everyone to know it.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women only series of events which raises millions of pounds every year to help defeat cancer by funding life-saving research.

Race for Life is at the Garrison Ground and University of Winchester Stadium on Sunday, June 9, and at Southampton Common on Sunday, July 14 To enter Race for Life visit raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.