A MUM-OF-TWO who defeated cancer before losing her husband to the disease is using her experiences to help other women.

Marjorie Burnside, from Blackburn, was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago.

After undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy she had her left breast removed, in an operation called a mastectomy.

She returned to work as a podiatrist for NHS Blackburn with Darwen, but her illness made her think about a change of career.

Marjorie, 56, said: “When I had my mastectomy I had trouble getting bras.

“I talked about it with my husband Richard because I thought it would be great to work in that field, helping people like me.

“He said ‘you should do it’, but the time wasn’t right because I was still working at my old job.

“Last year my husband became ill and he was in hospital a long time.

“I decided to take voluntary early retirement to look after Richard and to spend a lot of time together.”

Richard died in January this year, aged 57.

Marjorie, who has two daughters, Jennifer and Fiona, said she didn’t think about going back to work because she didn’t know what to do.

But then she heard about a company called bra lady, who offer a home-fitting bra service.

Now she has become East Lancashire’s ‘bra lady’ – supporting women in their own home who are due to have any form of breast surgery.

She offers mastectomy bras and soft cup bras, as well as maternity and nursing bras for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

The mum also helps women who are not able to go shopping by themselves, and visits women in care and nursing homes.

She said: “The fact that Richard and I had discussed this job meant that it seemed like the right thing to do.

“It’s a franchise and I only started in July after doing my training.

“It’s £10 for an initial visit. I do assessments, measuring up and fitting and show them our stock.

“They can try on some bras and if they order I will go back and make sure everything fits well.

“When I go to see ladies I can understand that they want to have a nice, pretty bra that they can actually be happy to wear, that isn’t too expensive.

“You still want to be able to wear the clothes that you could wear before you had cancer.”

“I know how the women are feeling because I have been there.”

You can contact Marjorie on 07971 053402 or by emailing marjorie@bralady.co.uk