LOCAL breast cancer survivor Denise Jackson has joined the Cancer Research Campaign in urging women across Lancaster to be breast aware.

Denise from Galgate helped launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the charity's Lancaster shop on Monday where pink ribbons have gone on sale to boost funds.

Denise was 51 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and remembers: "The shock at the time was bad. You think it happens to someone else."

As a nurse, she went to see her GP because she had a painful lump in her breast but she admits that she didn't examine herself regularly.

"It was purely the fact that it was painful and had probably been there for a while. I think being a nurse helped.

"My family and friends supported me and I know a number of people who have survived."

Denise underwent chemotherapy and had a mastectomy and radiotherapy.

That was two years ago. She is currently considering whether to have reconstructive surgery.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the UK.

The good news is that the number of lives lost through breast cancer has fallen dramatically over the last ten years.

The latest figures indicate that the overall survival is 66 per cent but to improve treatment more money for new research is needed.

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