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Early detection helped cancer pair

Dawn Gleeson and Alix Steed met through adversity when both were diagnosed with breast cancer at age 33 while enjoying milestones.

Ms Steed was only months away from her wedding and US-born Ms Gleeson was savouring motherhood with two children under two.

With both well on the road to recovery, they will celebrate their bond at Australia's biggest breast cancer research fundraiser, the Women in Super Mother's Day Classic fun run and walk on May 11.

Ms Steed, now 34, was lucky to detect her cancer early, only a few months after her GP showed her how to check for it.

She had a lumpectomy and radiation therapy but did not need chemotherapy so was able to walk down the aisle with her own head of hair.

"I took part in my first Mother's Day Classic in May 2012 with my now mother-in-law, but I never imagined I would be diagnosed with breast cancer five months later," she said.

"But I'm actually the healthiest and fittest I've ever been because I hit the gym and embraced life after my diagnosis."

Ms Gleeson, who is married to Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson, was also diagnosed early and so did not need chemotherapy. She chose a double mastectomy because she did not want to live in fear.

Details at mothersdayclassic .com.au/event/wa/perth.