A CANCER sufferer from East Lancashire has joined others sharing their experiences of cancer in a new book in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

Margaret Seed of Glendale Drive, Mellor, who was treated for breast cancer at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, and is currently in remission from bowel cancer, has written a section for the book Character Building, which is a selection of short stories and poems about ordinary people's experiences with cancer.

The book also includes a piece by Elaine Marie Brown from Accrington, who has since died of cancer. Her contribution was submitted by her husband David.

Tom Bidwell from Leyland also wrote a poem about the meaning of life, called the Bitter Truth.

It is the third time Margaret has seen her words in print, after publishing two books about her experiences with cancer, A patient's Thoughts and A Patient's Perspective on Cancer, which was aimed at health professionals working with patients.

Her contribution is taken from her first book and relates to understanding cancer. Margaret said: "It is for people who have cancer so they can realise that they are not on their own, that there are other people who have been through it and got through it and they can too.

"It is aimed at supporting them and giving them hope."

A percentage of the book's cover price goes to the Cancer Research Campaign.

Editor Dawn McGruer said: "The idea for the book came from meeting a great number of people who had encountered difficult situations and found that writing helped them to cope. Character Building is a collection of stories, which appeal to everybody and makes a perfect gift for friends and family."

The book also includes a foreword by Anthea Turner and a piece by actor Nigel Hawthorne, who died last week. It costs £7.99 and is available from Waterstones bookshop or by visiting www.characterbuilding.info.