Laura Eggo, a 45-year-old biomedical scientist from East Kilbride, was diagnosed with breast cancer on June 14, 2021, after a lump she noticed while breastfeeding her daughter Ivy did not go away. Initially, she thought it was a blocked milk duct.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Laura, who works at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, underwent surgery at Wishaw General Hospital, followed by six sessions of chemotherapy and two weeks of radiotherapy. Because her cancer was oestrogen-driven, she was also prescribed monthly injections of Zoladex to stop her body producing the hormone.
Reflecting on the experience, she said: “It felt like life changed in a second when I was told I had cancer after finding a lump while breastfeeding. In the space of just a few months I went from the joy of celebrating the birth of our daughter to spending hours in a hospital ward.”
Recovery and Setbacks
Determined to rebuild her life, Laura returned to running during her recovery and completed Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life Glasgow with her husband Brian and supporters, raising more than £2,750. However, in 2024, she discovered she had inherited a faulty BRCA1 gene, which increased her risk of certain cancers.
Following medical advice, she had surgery in September 2025 to remove her ovaries to reduce that risk. Then, in April this year, further tests showed her cancer had returned. Laura, who was diagnosed just months before her 40th birthday, said: “I hoped then that in time cancer would be something I could put behind me. It was incredibly tough to discover this year that cancer is back.”
Supporting Research and AI Detection
Laura is now receiving the targeted cancer drug Enhertu every three weeks and is supporting a new Cancer Research UK campaign focused on finding better ways to detect the earliest warning signs of cancer. Her story was played to thousands of people at Race for Life events across the country this summer, as participants tackled the 3k, 5k and 10k routes to raise money for research.
She said: “I’m glad to do all I can to support vital research, to give families more tomorrows with their loved ones. My daughter Ivy is seven now and she keeps me busy as always. She has an infectious sense of fun and is a constant source of joy and inspiration. Cancer doesn’t just affect you but everyone around who loves you. My husband Brian is brilliant and the most excellent support. We had some really special moments together as a family this summer.”
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Laura is supporting scientists exploring how artificial intelligence could help doctors identify cancers earlier. Researchers at University College London, funded by Cancer Research UK, are creating digital replicas of real tumours to investigate the earliest signs of breast cancer and train AI to identify them on MRI scans.
Laura said: “Research offers hope for the future and for my daughter’s generation. It’s encouraging that new ways to detect cancer are on the horizon, meaning more people can be diagnosed and treated faster. Spotting cancer early saves lives. That’s the power of science.”
Breast cancer is Scotland’s second most common cancer, with around 5,100 women diagnosed each year. Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for Scotland, Lisa Adams, said: “From developing ‘digital twins’ to uncovering hidden clues in tests and scans, AI is helping our researchers develop better, faster tools to detect the earliest signs of cancer, when treatment is more likely to work. We’re grateful to Laura for supporting and sharing her story to help raise vital funds this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”
