Couple who have survived six cancer diagnoses credit one main action with saving their lives

A married couple from North Carolina who have survived six bouts of cancer between them during their decades of marriage have shared what the main factor in their survival has been.

Pat Penny was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 at the age of 56, which was detected early thanks to a routine mammogram.

It was the couple's fifth cancer diagnosis in their 51 years of marriage, after husband Dave had been diagnosed twice with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the 1980s, and twice with a sarcoma in the 1990s.

"They found my cancer early. It was really deeply embedded. If it had grown to the point where I could’ve found it, it’d have been too late," Pat shared with WRAL.

But what no one could have expected was that Dave would sadly also find a lump in his breast, on the same side as his wife.

The couple from North Carolina want to share their inspiring story after surviving cancer six times (WRAL)

As a man with breast cancer, Dave represented less than one percent of people affected by the condition.

But rather than cursing his luck, the Pennys have decided that call the Korean War vet very 'rare'.

After extensive surgery to remove his breast and some associated lymph nodes, the retired volunteer firefighter made an astonishing fifth recovery from cancer in less than 40 years.

Despite these difficult moments, the Pennys pulled through with each other's support, and no small amount of Dave's resilience.

Pat said: "He was supposed to be dead at 30 so we're just blessed. He's the Eveready bunny, he takes a licking and keeps on ticking."

Having survived so many traumatic diagnoses and come out the other side, the couple have been inspired to volunteer for the American Cancer Society to share their story and to encourage people to do the one thing that got them the treatment they needed to reach their 51st wedding anniversary.

They want more people to pay greater attention to the small early warning signs that can warrant further medical investigation. That includes men like Dave, who should occasionally check their chest area for any lumps.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 4.5 million people have had their lives saved as a result of early detection over the past 50 years. It is estimated that 80 percent of those who get a diagnosis before cancer progresses have a survival expectancy of over 10 years.

Keeping up with regular doctors appointments and being forthright about any health issues is what the North Carolina couple credits with their story of survival.

Dave said: "Nobody knows your body but you. If you have anything wrong with you, don’t put it off for a week or two weeks hoping it’ll go away."

Pat added: “Early detection and early treatment is so important. There’s no age; just because you’re young or old, either way, you can get cancer. So be aware.”