A breast cancer survivor from Renfrewshire is on the verge of taking the Christmas number one spot in the download charts.

Mairi Milne is part of the Change and Check Choir, which was set up by ITV’s Lorraine show and is made up of women who have or have had breast cancer.

Their song ‘Golden’ features Grammy-award winning singer Joss Stone and was written to reflect on their experiences and raise awareness of the choir’s message – checking your breasts and recognising any changes.

“I find it hilarious to be part of a chart-topping choir. I’m a 54-year-old mum who plays golf,” said the Bridge of Weir resident, who was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer at 48.

“We can’t get to number one in the main chart as we don’t have a record label, but we (previously) made number one on the download charts and beat The Beatles.

“It’s insane but brilliant to be a part of and hopefully puts the message out there to check your boobs and other parts for all cancers.

“We all know our normal so it’s about being vigilant about any changes.”

Mairi first noticed in March 2018 that one of her breasts was bigger than the other, which got her thinking because she had seen a poster on the door in the toilet at work about the changes to be aware of.

“I went to the doctor but was reassured there was no issue," she explained.

“By June I was ticking three boxes and returned to the doctor.

“I was sent to the breast clinic at the Royal Alexandra Hospital where I had tests and a week later it was confirmed I had stage 2 HER2 breast cancer.”

Mairi, a retired police detective sergeant who now works as the Befriending Facilitator at ROAR: Connections for Life in Johnstone, had surgeries to remove her lymph nodes and within seven weeks of her diagnosis underwent six rounds of chemotherapy.

In January 2019, she had two surgeries to remove the tumour and 19 sessions of radiotherapy.

She’s now on the road to recovery and hopes to be discharged from the supervision of the breast cancer clinic in January.

“At the time of my diagnosis and treatment my son was 15,” the mum said.

“I felt I could be ill between 8.15am and 4pm but when he came back from school I was back in mum mode.

“It was also three weeks before I retired having served 30 years in the police.

“It had a huge impact on my family. I was extremely positive when I could be.

"The treatment was brutal, but I made the most of my life when I was feeling okay in between sessions.

“I’m on tablets for another five years and I get implant injections every 12 weeks until August next year but I’m alive, well, happy and living life to the full.”

Mairi, who’s also the social convenor for Kilbarchan Pipe Band, received support from Renfrewshire Council’s Improving the Cancer Journey team.

“My husband and I went to circuit sessions in Johnstone in conjunction with MacMillan and it was fantastic because no-one judged your scars, body shape or hair loss and it was a very safe place,” she said.

She got involved in the choir after contacting its founder Helen Addis, Lorraine's features editor.

“I had breast cancer at the same time as Helen and messaged her when I saw her campaign," the mum said.

“It’s phenomenal to be part of. It means so much to spend time with the girls and to get the message out there.”

As well as singing in the choir, she has also walked over the O2 arena and taken part in a ‘breast-ival’ in a hot air balloon with the group.

For more information on symptoms click HERE.

You can listen the song on streaming services, including Spotify and Apply Music.