A POOLE woman who bravely fought breast cancer will be among the thousands stepping out to take part in this year’s Race for Life series.

Jayne Fisher, 52, discovered she had cancer when her very first mammogram highlighted a hidden lump which had been in danger of spreading.

She firmly believes she owes her life to the breast cancer screening programme for women over 50, and she is encouraging others to go for screening no matter how scared they are.

The mum-of-one, of Oakdale, Poole, was diagnosed two years ago when an ultra sound scan picked up a lump that neither Jayne nor specialist nurses had felt.

Jayne said: “It was a real blow when I was told I had cancer. “I knew I could either feel sorry for myself or focus on getting better. I put my trust in the experts and they never let me down”.

Jayne, who has a daughter, Laura, 21, then faced two lots of surgery to have the tumour and several lymph nodes removed followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

“It is hard not to think every day about cancer, but my doctor said you can’t live like that and he is right,” she said.

Jayne, a part-time learning support assistant at Langside School for disabled children, had to stop work during treatment but she has now returned.

She was helped through her treatment and recovery by fellow members at a Rosemary Conley diet and fitness class in Bournemouth. Class leader Sandie Martin attended treatment with Jayne and is a big Race for Life supporter along with daughters Holly, 12 and Rosie, 10.

She has raised several thousand pounds by regularly entering teams of up to 80 members from her club. Rachel Northover, Race for Life events manager, is calling on girls and women to enter Race for Life at Kingston Lacy on May 12, Bournemouth seafront on June 16 and Poole Park on June 23.

Rachel said: “I hope Jayne and Sandie will inspire others to play their part by entering Race for Life so we can hit cancer where it hurts!”

To enter Race for Life today go to www.raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.