Sharon's breast cancer fight (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Sharon's breast cancer fight

3:30pm Sunday 25th October 2009

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BREAST cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK.

To mark October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Mercury's James Beal spoke to one Bridgwater woman who has fought the deadly disease.

WHEN Sharon Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer in August this year, it triggered a 'rollercoaster' few months for the 46-year-old mother-of-four.

Being told she had a cancerous tumour in her right breast brought back feelings she had dreaded since her mother died of the same disease 15 years ago.

But brave Sharon, from Sydenham Road, faced the disease head on - and is urging others to do the same.

She told the Mercury: “At the beginning of August I found a small lump in my breast.

“I went to see my GP who referred me to the breast cancer clinic at Musgrove Park Hospital.”

After undergoing a mammogram, Sharon and husband Martin got the news they feared.

She said: “It was a very scary time, but I caught it at the earliest possible stage.

“Telling my children was hard - they were upset but really supportive.”

Sharon, a care assistant at Sydenham House, then faced a nervous wait before an operation to remove the tumour.

Surgery was successful - and she was even able to round off a torrid August with a holiday in Turkey.

Despite getting the all clear, Sharon is having radiotherapy and attends regular check-ups.

But she copes thanks to her family, friends, work colleagues and managers Jeanette and Richard.

And Sharon is now warning others to look for symptoms of the disease.

“Check yourself regularly.

“You will be scared if you find anything, but you have to act,” she added.

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