October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Marion Smith has her own personal reason to promote it. Kate Thompson reports...

IT WAS the run up to Christmas last year and Marion Smith had just resigned from her job running the Saints supporters club.

She was looking forward to the festive season and starting a new job - but on December 20 all that changed.

She discovered a large lump in her breast - and instantly she knew it spelt very bad news.

"I went to the doctor as soon as I could and my doctor was convinced it was a cyst and nothing to worry about.

"On January 8 I went to a consultant and the lump was even bigger then.

"Again he said there was probably nothing to worry about but when he put a needle in to drain it nothing came out," said Marion, 50 from Fareham.

A course of chemotherapy followed to shrink the cancerous lump prior to a lumpectomy being performed in June and then radiotherapy sessions.

"My mother had breast cancer and I knew as soon as I found the lump what it was.

"I have two daughters and a granddaughter so I was really relieved when they told me it was not the hereditary kind.

"I am a single woman and when I was having the treatment I must admit I found it very difficult. I didn't want to burden my daughters - they were fantastic and supported me all the way.

"But the nights are long and my teddies can tell a tale or two as well as my pillow," she said.

Approximately one case of breast cancer is diagnosed every 12 minutes and 90 per cent will have no family history of the disease. Sadly about 13,000 women will die from breast cancer this year.

Breast cancer can strike anyone at anytime, man or woman, old or young, however those most at risk are women, especially those who have not had children or had their first child when over 30 years of age.

Increased awareness of breast cancer has led to early detection and as such survival rates have risen dramatically in recent years.

The earlier breast cancers are detected, the greater the chance of successful treatment. Women can help themselves by becoming more breast aware.

This means getting to know their breasts and finding out what's normal for them.

A woman who knows her breasts look like and feel is the best person to notice any changes. Most changes are harmless and nine out of ten lumps are not cancerous. But to be safe, it's important to have anything unusual checked-out by a doctor.

Marion was told there was no trace of cancer in her lymph glands and she has since been given the all clear.

"They can't say it will never come back but at the moment I am clear.

"My life is really good now and I have managed to get the ideal job.

"My outlook on life has totally changed. I realise how important my girls Wendy, 24, and Amanda, 22, are and how precious my grandchildren Daniel, 4, and Kayleigh, 4, are too," she said.

Marion is now working for an events planning company based in Southampton - and is helping to promote the Candyfloss Ball at the Grand Harbour Hotel this Friday.

The event is designed to raise money and awareness for Tenovus, the cancer charity during breast cancer awareness month.

The night is being supported by Alan Day Motor Group, Southampton and Venue Smart event management and includes a three-course meal with live entertainment, dancing and a fairground theme.

Tenovus is one of the largest and most important cancer charities in the UK for both the scientific discoveries in the treatment of cancer and for the support structure developed to help sufferers and their families.

Tenovus funded scientists are amongst the world's leading experts in search of control of and hopefully cure for various cancers. Two of the most important centres are based at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Southampton General Hospital.

Tenovus scientists have identified new genes in the treatment of breast cancer and are researching new drugs in the treatment of these cancers. Whilst existing drugs such as Tamoxifen, developed by Tenovus scientists, are of initial benefit, some patients become resistant to them.

It is hoped that studies of genes associated with resistance to Tamoxifen will lead to the development of new anti cancer drugs to help improve survival rates.

For tickets and further information regarding the Ball please contact Anita Dhariwal on 07968 593071.