A mum of two who discovered she had breast cancer is looking forward to returning to Watford's Race for Life this year, free of the disease.

Minnal Ladva, 42, from Kings Langley took part in the 5k event with 14 family members last year, just weeks after undergoing a mastectomy.

Since then, she’s completed chemotherapy and is now looking forward to ringing the bell at the finish line at Cassiobury Park on June 10.

Watford Observer: Minnal Ladva ran the event with her family last year.Minnal Ladva ran the event with her family last year. (Image: Cancer Research UK)

Minnal said: “Scratching an itch saved my life because it made me find a lump that I didn’t know was there.

“Thankfully I got it checked because it turned out to be breast cancer.

Now I’m through the other side and am looking forward to Race for Life and doing something for the greater good.”

Minnal is hoping to encourage people of all ages and abilities to sign up to their local event at https://bit.ly/3UqFVDV.

Speaking of her 2022 race, she said: “I was emotional when I crossed the line because I’d reached my goal of making it through Race for Life and it was a reminder that I’d made it through my surgery, the cancer had been removed and I had survived.

“It also marked the next step in my treatment which was chemo, that began two weeks later.”

Watford Observer: Minnal Ladva with her husband Jay and daughters Mahi and Arya.Minnal Ladva with her husband Jay and daughters Mahi and Arya. (Image: Cancer Research UK)

She added: “My next goal is to take part again on June 10 and this time I’ll be ringing the bell to mark the end of this chapter and the beginning of my second chance at life.”

This year marks 30 years of Race for Life. The event is open to people of all ages and abilities.  

Women, men and children can choose from 3k, 5k and 10k events.

There is also a chance to take part in Pretty Muddy - a mud-splattered obstacle course - and there’s a Pretty Muddy Kids option.

Minnal wants to highlight the disease as much as possible.

She said: “In Asian culture we don’t tend to talk about cancer, it’s taboo.

“But I want people to feel comfortable talking about it because it’s fine and it’s normal.

“If your car was making a noise, you’d get it checked, so if your body doesn’t feel right – do the same.”