A CANCER survivor is urging women across the South West to join her by signing up for their local Race For Life events to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Sue Fluhrer, who also lost her mother to cancer, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007 and underwent surgery, followed by months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. The mother-of-two from Gunnislake is taking part in the Plymouth event on Sunday June 8, along with a team of friends and colleagues from her work at Tamar Foods. Mrs Fluhrer, 43, said her mother, Sheila Waters, died in October 2005 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. 'The cancer had spread to the lungs and the doctors were only able to offer palliative care,' she said. 'She had four months of chemotherapy and was very brave – she rarely complained about anything and I have nothing but admiration for the way she handled it.' Mrs Fluhrer said her own cancer had been picked up two years later. 'In February 2007, I noticed a lump in my breast when I was in the shower,' she said. 'I hadn't checked regularly but I just found it and I was quite shocked – you just don't think that it's going to be you. 'I was able to be seen by a consultant quickly and got my diagnosis two weeks later. I had a lumpectomy in March and they managed to cut it all out. 'I had four months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and I am taking Tamoxifen now. 'The chemotherapy was awful, it made me tired, my joints hurt and I lost my hair, but my most recent mammogram was clear.' She said it had been a difficult time for the whole family, especially husband Steven and their children Adam, 18, and Emma, 15, but her friends and her work had been very supportive. 'I was off work for eight months, but they were extremely good – I can't fault them at all. I didn't have to worry and they are helping me to ease my way back in. 'And last year, when I was just finishing my chemotherapy, a group of my colleagues were doing Race For Life and I did it with them, along with my daughter. 'I had to walk it then, but I aim to be trotting at the very least this year! 'There is a group of colleagues from work doing it again this year and Tamar Foods have very kindly paid for our entry fee. 'Race For Life can make you feel sad, but in a very positive way – I think about my mum the whole time and you want to stop these things happening.' She added that she felt it was important for people to be aware of possible symptoms of cancer and check themselves regularly. 'As I discovered the lump early, it was relatively small and had not spread but my cancer had the potential to spread via my lymph nodes reasonably quickly, had it not been halted in its tracks.' Women across the South West can walk, jog or run five kilometres at a series of Race For Life events across the region, which raise money for Cancer Research UK's groundbreaking work to prevent, diagnose and treat different types of cancer. Other events are being held at venues including Exeter, Torbay and the Eden Project – visit http://www.raceforlife,org.uk">www.raceforlife,org.uk for a full list of dates.
