OCTOBER sees the launch of Breast Cancer awareness month for 2005 and one Pershore sufferer is doing her best to highlight the importance of

combating the illness. JAY RANA spoke to her.

BREAST cancer awareness is being launched with the message going out to everyone - men and women check your breasts!

Although there have been many medical breakthroughs in combating the disease, there are still many who fail to acknowledge the importance of regular breast checks. Approximately 41,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK. And, although much rarer, there are also 300 cases of breast cancer in men

Lesley Grant from Pershore who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer was diagnosed this January and is amazed when hearing from women who do not check their breasts each month.

"I turned 50 and it was my first mammogram and I didn't think anything of it. I then went again this year and didn't think anything of it. It wasn't painful and took about 10 minutes."

Lesley checks her breasts every month and advises everyone she meets to do the same. 80 per cent of breast cancer cases occur in women over the age of 50.

The dinner lady from the Stepping Stones nursery in Pershore, said: "Everyone should check their breasts I always check mine and I always told my daughter from a young age that she should do the same."

Lesley's result came back and received a letter asking her to visit Bromsgrove hospital.

"I walked into a little room and you know they have hankies there and they give you a cup of tea and your thinking well I wonder what this is all about then and then they tell you. I have breast cancer."

The 52-year-old was informed about her illness and underwent two core biopsies and had her left lymph nodes removed for further tests to see if there was any trace of cancer left.

Lesley with her optimistic outlook has fought her way through her treatment and sees breast cancer as something that will be beaten. "This is something that has landed on my doorstep now I can either sweep it away or I can let it in and I definitely won't let this in. I never try and tell anyone that I'm suffering from cancer because there are people out there worse off than me."

Despite her illness and her strength to continue, Lesley has her bad times, "I see people when I'm out and they ask how are you feeling? And I think I feel rotten and tired but I always say yep I'm fine."

Lesley says all her inner strength has stemmed from her partner, Jim and supportive five children. Her husband Jim surprised Lesley as he doesn't like watching hospital documentaries or any medical programmes.

"Jim completely surprised me because I thought he would have been very scared by all the hospital appointments and treatment I would be taking but he comes with me, to every appointment."

Lesley has suffered from hair loss and is currently being treated with a course of radiotherapy.

Although this year has been a tough one her message is a simple but effective one,

"Men, women young and old should check their breasts, catch it before it catches you out."

l Breast Cancer Care is the UK's leading provider of information, practical assistance and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer. All services are free.

For more information call the Breast Cancer Care help line on 0808 800 6000 or visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk.