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Nail technician from Westgate-on-Sea urges women to check for lumps after being diagnosed with incurable cancer aged 23

A young nail technician diagnosed with incurable breast cancer is urging women to regularly check for lumps.

Tasmin Gooding, who lives in Westgate, received the devastating diagnosis on Monday that the disease has spread to her neck, spine, pelvis and shoulders after first finding a lump in her breast in November.

Tasmin with little brother Ruben
Tasmin with little brother Ruben

The 23-year-old had it looked at but a biopsy came back clear and it was put down to hormones.

In the summer, however, she found another lump in her breast and in her arm pit, and it was confirmed she had breast cancer.

The former St George's Church of England School pupil, who is one of four siblings, has now been told it is stage 4 and incurable.

Friend and colleague Jasmin Finch, who runs Enhance Thanet in Ramsgate, says Tasmin is "completely numb" but wants to spread the message to other young girls to get any lumps checked out.

"She's broken," said Miss Finch. "Who wouldn't be at that age?"

Tasmin Gooding has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer
Tasmin Gooding has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer

"When I spoke to her she said 'Jas, when they told me it's incurable, I laughed'. She couldn't believe what they were saying.

"More than anything she wants to raise awareness about getting lumps checked, that is what her main goal is. Even at a young age women need to check themselves.

"It's so awful. And the fact that it's spread so quickly. It's just a nightmare that it's happening to her."

Miss Finch, 30, has set up a fundraising page to help make her friend as comfortable as possible while she undergoes chemotherapy and to treat her to things she's always wanted to do.

Well-wishers have already donated almost £8,000.

Tasmin wants other young women to make sure they get any lumps in their breasts checked
Tasmin wants other young women to make sure they get any lumps in their breasts checked

"Tasmin is so lovely, lively and bubbly," said Miss Finch.

"She's so open, you feel like you've known her for years.

"I've only know her a year since I opened the shop and she has been amazing; she's such a support, so positive and such a nice, genuine, happy person."

Tasmin is due to start chemotherapy next week and once medics see how she responds to treatment will then decide whether or not to operate.

"It's heartbreaking," said Miss Finch. "I walk in the shop, I see her desk and I go cold. It feels so unfair she is going through this when she's so young.

Tasmin (left) with best friend Shannon and Jasmin (right)
Tasmin (left) with best friend Shannon and Jasmin (right)

"She hasn't lived yet. She only moved into her own flat in May.

"When I first started the fundraiser, I put down a target of £500 because I was thinking it could get her home comforts like pyjamas and things to make her feel a bit better, but then it started growing and I thought 'wow ok, let's do more of a bucket list of things she would like to do'.

"She's going to London this weekend because it's her last before she starts chemo and so some of it can go towards that.

"It's so she can do anything she wants to do."

Miss Finch says she has been overwhelmed with the response and receives constant emails from people wanting to donate.

"It's just been amazing, the amount is growing by the minute," she added.

To donate towards the fundraiser click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet

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