A BRAVE cancer victim is using her illness to help other sufferers make a ‘breakthrough’ in the future.

Julie Jackson, 40, of Darwen is taking part in the Tact 2 trial, of a chemotherapy treatment used in early stages of breast cancer.

The mum of Corey, 11, and Steven, 22, was diagnosed in March and says she is taking the trial in a bid to help other women.

She said:”When I found out I was in shock and obviously felt upset, but I just had to accept it and make the most of life.

“I feel more positive now that I’m contributing to research and want to help as much as I can.”

The Tact 2 trial is looking at different ways of administering chemotherapy.

It is testing certain combinations of chemotherapy drugs to see which is better to treat early stages of breast cancer.

After her diagnosis Julie says she was scared when she found out about her illness but is determined to carry on with the trial.

She is spending her time fundraising and keeping a ‘positive attitude’ and will hold a fundraising day in Darwen on Hallowe’en.

All cash will be donated to the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Arlene Wilkie, director of research and policy for Breast Cancer Campaign, said: “Breast cancer research has made considerable progress over the past two decades and vital work is still under way. However, more than 45,500 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and 12,500 will die.

“It is therefore crucial that we continue to fund research to better understand how breast cancer develops and improve current treatments, leading to a better quality of life and ultimately beating breast cancer.”

Julie is determined to remain positive. She said: “I have learnt so much about myself since being diagnosed with the cancer and I’m not worried about trying out the different drugs.

“I feel privileged to be giving something to cancer research and hopefully these trials will work and help women not to fear breast cancer in the future.”