A WOMAN who overcame cancer three times has bared all to raise awareness of breast cancer and encourage others to look out for warning signs.

Kara McLarty, 51, from Fareham, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 after feeling a recurring sharp pain across her right breast.

She went to her GP and after a mammogram confirmed her diagnosis, Kara had to undergo a single mastectomy and was given an implant in the same operation.

Kara is now in her first year being cancer free, and has joined Liberty Photography as an ambassador and takes part in monthly photoshoots to help her regain her self-confidence.

She said: "My main priority has, of course, been my physical health, but it’s also important to feel confident in my own skin. This is why I became an ambassador for Liberty.

"This year is the first year I’ve been cancer-free and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from the whole journey, it is to live life to the absolute fullest. I now say yes to everything I can.

"I did my usual checks quite regularly and would always look out for the typical warning signs like lumps, inverted nipples and orange peel-like skin, but never had any. When I went to my GP, I never expected that the pain would be connected to cancer because it isn’t a symptom that I’d heard of.

"After I had my mastectomy, I felt anxious about the cancer coming back in my left breast and for some reason I just had a strange feeling in my gut. I wanted to have the other breast removed but the consultants understandably refused to remove a seemingly healthy breast."

Kara’s next yearly mammogram revealed abnormal cells, which her consultant thought to be benign, but because of her heightened risk for cancer, she was given a second mastectomy with another implant.

After the cells were given a closer examination post-operation, she was told that there were cancerous cells in the second breast.

Kara said: "I felt relieved after I had my second mastectomy. It was never about cosmetics, I just had that gut feeling that something wasn’t right, which turned out to be true."

She was later diagnosed with melanoma and had to undergo surgery to remove the cancer and ensure it had not spread.

Throughout her whole journey, Kara did not need chemotherapy, but her physical and mental wellbeing took a hit.

But she now has a brand-new outlook on life, with an even stronger love for her body.

Her most recent shoot with Liberty Photography saw her swap her bra for multi-coloured glitter in a bid to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Kara said: "If anyone takes anything from my story, I’d like it to be that you should always trust your gut instinct and get things checked as early as you can.

"The signs aren’t always obvious, but if you get to know your body you can notice changes sooner, which could save your life."