A HORRABRIDGE woman who was diagnosed with cancer just six months after the death of her husband is taking part in the Plymouth Half Marathon this summer.

Cate Taynton, 53, of Horrabridge in Devon will be running in memory of her husband John, who died in February 2011 following a two year battle with bowel cancer. His positive attitude in fighting the disease has led Cate to signing up to the half marathon in June.

Cate nursed John through his treatment and gave up work to spend time with him, but he sadly died almost two years after his diagnosis.

While she was deciding what to do with her life, Cate went for a routine breast scan and was shocked to be told she had breast cancer. She is currently going through chemo treatment and is due to start radiotherapy in February.

Cate said: 'I had missed my breast scan appointment when I was called at the age of 50 and so I thought I shouldn't miss my next one when it came through two years later.

'In August 2011 I went for the routine breast scan and was devastated to be told I had breast cancer.

'Although my life has been put on hold for a few months, I have now come to terms with what has happened.  I am still going through treatment myself and I hope to be able to put in some training in February when I am feeling stronger. I take my inspiration from John, who was a hugely positive person.

'I am lucky in that my cancer was caught early and has not spread — the prognosis is very good I am told.'

Cate underwent a lumpectomy and is currently on a Cancer Research UK clinical trial. Clinical trials are vital for testing new cancer treatments and are needed to refine and improve existing ways of treating the disease. The charity's groundbreaking work in this area has already led to advances in preventing, detecting and treating cancer.

Along with her fundraising efforts — Cate is hoping to raise £1,000 for Cancer Research UK — she is eager to promote early diagnosis and encouraging others to get to the GPs early in order to treat cancer at its earliest stages.

Cate added: 'I'm proud to be running for Cancer Research UK.  I'm hoping to raise as much money as I can, but I want to be able to contribute in some way in the fight against cancer and the devastation it causes.'

Cancer Research UK helps fund local research projects. In Plymouth, previous funds have gone to Dr Simon Rule at Derriford Hospital, who is researching into new treatments for lymphoma. His team are carrying out a clinical trial looking at treatments for a rare but aggressive form of the disease called mantle cell lymphoma. Trials like this help doctors to improve treatment for people with cancer, increasing survival and quality of life.