Victim inspired by the Wall of Hope

Barbara Gibb, of Milford Street, Colne, had gone to Colne Asda on Saturday to do some shopping when she noticed the Cancer Reasearch Campaign stand in the foyer.

And after reading messages from former sufferers on the Wall of Hope and decided to get involved.

Barbara, who had breast cancer two and a half years ago, said: "I thought the messages of hope, especially accompanied by photographs of the people, was a good idea and it touched me when I read them.

"I went to see the people running the charity stall and told them I work but would like to help them out for a few hours if they wanted me to.

"There are not enough people talking about it and I am more than willing to talk to anyone if they have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Unless you've been there and done it you don't know what it is like."

Barbara, 47, did not work for almost a year because she of an adverse reaction to chemotherapy treatment.

She did not discover she had breast cancer by finding a lump -- which is the most significant warning sign -- she was concerned about a change in appearance of her nipple.

When diagnosed with cancer in March 1999 she knew nothing about it and knew no-one who had suffered from it so she read as many books on the subject as she could and got information off the internet.

She said: "I needed to know for myself everything that could be involved before it happened and then if it didn't happen it was a bonus. Everyone has different ways of coping with cancer.

"It all happened so fast. Within a week of being diagnosed I was in having a biopsy. I started chemotherapy in May and had six doses then a bulk of radiotherapy and then more chemotherapy. I had my last chemotherapy in October 1999 but it is always there at the back of your mind.

"Something like the Wall of Hope is brilliant because it gives people faith.

"They say if you go five years you will be all right and I've gone two and a half now so fingers crossed."