A CANCER sufferer has given birth to the baby she never thought was possible thanks to a revolutionary new treatment.

Helen Mayoh, 41, and husband David, 55, of Baron Street, Darwen, did not expect to add to their two children, Michael, three, and Kathryn, eight, after Helen spent two years battling cancer of the kidney.

But instead of having to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy, Helen received immunotherapy at The Christie Hospital, Manchester, which uses the body's immune system to fight cancer.

A medical expert today described the treatment, which involves the patient injecting themselves twice a day with natural antibodies, as "beautiful" as it means women can avoid radiotherapy, which can leave patients sterile.

And Helen's second son Simon was born 17 days premature three weeks ago.

Dad David, a postman in Tockholes, said: "This has given us new life. It is like a fresh start after everything that has happened.

"A first-class delivery in the New Year! We did not expect to have another child so it was a total surprise."

Helen said: "I had to inject myself twice a day. It left me feeling tired, with flu-like symptoms but I didn't lose much hair. It was a lot better than chemotherapy would have been.

"I have not had the official all-clear yet but all the scans I've been having have been clear of cancer.

"Simon is like a new beginning for us and we can hopefully put everything behind us."

Helen's cancer was diagnosed in June 2002, shortly after she had given birth to her second child Michael.

She said: "If it wasn't for Michael they wouldn't have caught it as early, so we believe he was there to help us."

She had surgery to remove the kidney and then underwent treatment at Christie's, an international leader in cancer research and development, until August 2004.

She will have a scan in September when she hopes to be given the full all-clear.

Dr Richard Griffiths, one of the doctors at the Christie Hospital who treated Helen, said: "Helen received a cancer treatment called interferon which is given to stimulate the body's own immune system.

"It is used to fight some types of cancer, including kidney cancer.

Interferon is normally given to patients with advanced cancer but Helen received it as a treatment to prevent early stage cancer coming back.

"We are absolutely delighted that following her treatment Helen has given birth to a healthy baby.

"This kind of positive news makes our work all the more worthwhile."

Dr Tom Smith, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's health expert, said: "The beautiful thing about immunotherapy is that it is not like radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

"Centres of excellence all around Britain are now starting to use it."