Widnes mum who conquered cancer stars in campaign

8:00am Tuesday 2nd December 2008

HER life was saved by a simple test.

Mum-of-two Maqsooda Ali, aged 64, kept cancelling routine screenings because she was too busy running a school uniform shop in Widnes.

“Eventually, attending the mammogram appointment helped to save her life as a lump was found in her right breast,” said Jane Bullock, of Cancer Research UK.

“Maqsooda underwent surgery to have the cancerous lump removed followed by radiotherapy treatment and was also given the drugs arimidex and tamoxifen.”

More women are surviving breast cancer than ever before.

Maqsooda’s face can now be seen in bus stops, railway stations, billboards, gyms and shop windows after being chosen to highlight a new awareness campaign.

‘Behind Every Success Story’ highlights the impact cutting edge work by Cancer Research UK has had on the lives of people with cancer.

The poster features Maqsooda’s upper body contrasting with the lower body of a scientist working hard in a laboratory.

Masquooda, diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2006, said: “I am deeply honoured to be fronting this campaign.

“I am only alive today thanks to the great improvements which have been made by cancer research.

“It will be exciting to see my face looking back at me when I’m out and about!”

Of the 45,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK, 1,566 women are from Cheshire and Merseyside.

Now eight out of 10 breast cancer patients live beyond five years.

Cancer Research UK funds the work of 4,500 scientists, doctors and nurses and last year spent £333 million on world-class research.