THE tragic loss of two of her closest relatives has left Marcia Steele in no doubt about just how vital research into cancers which affect women really is.

The Clayton-le-Woods woman lost her mother to breast cancer in 1979. Then her daughter was diagnosed with the disease in 1990, and died in 1991 aged 31.

Marcia, 55, says she now feels ready to do something positive to try to help other families who may be facing what she had to go through. She will take her place among the runners in the women-only Preston Race For Life to raise money for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund's research into cancers which affect women. Explained Marcia of Mendip Road, Clayton-le-Woods: "After my daughter died I was absolutely devastated. It was just so shocking that she was only 31 yet she had died of the same disease as my mother.

"Because of my family history I am now considered to be at high risk and have been told that I have a one in four chance of getting breast cancer."

She will be joined in the race by Caroline Black from Fulwood who, when aged just 14, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and underwent five months of treatment.

Now 20, Caroline has made a complete recovery - but she clearly remembered how she felt when she was diagnosed. "I was devastated and kept thinking I would die.

"Now I do have a different attitude to life. I take each day as it comes. I have been told it's rare for someone of 14 to get ovarian cancer - but there are lots of women being treated for it now and I want to do all I can to help them."

The Preston Race For Life at Moor Park this Sunday, June 2 at 10.30am. If you want to take part, call 0990 134314.

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