AFTER surviving both breast cancer and a brain tumour, Suzi Carthy is preparing to tackle the Oxford Marathon in aid of the hospice which cared for her late friend Rebecca Rowland.

Seven years ago the Nationwide analyst was diagnosed with breast cancer. She soon discovered that her friend and neighbour Rebecca, or Becky as she knew her, had also been diagnosed with the condition.

They fought cancer together successfully, until it returned in the form of brain tumours.

While Suzi’s tumour was operable, 49-year-old Becky was not as fortunate and she died on Wednesday night at the hospice with her two daughters by her side.

Inspired by her resolve not to give up, Suzi decided to make every moment count and raise valuable funds for the hospice which looked after the BID manager for inSwindon, and her mother before her seven years ago.

Upon hearing of Becky’s death she became even more determined to secure money in her memory.

Suzi, 44, said: “Myself and Becky had both been diagnosed with breast cancer within the last seven years and after chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy thought we had beaten it.

“But it returned in the form of brain tumours. I have so far been lucky and have been able to have surgery to remove the tumour as well as gamma knife treatment.

“This was possible as I have a single tumour.

“Becky, however, had several tumours which were inoperable and were being managed by radium treatment and medication.”

A few months after undergoing brain surgery, Suzi joined Far Runners in Faringdon. Despite suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, she is now set to take on the Oxford Half Marathon on Sunday, no matter what.

“With the help of my friends in Far Runners and Becky, who is my inspiration, I know I will achieve this,” she said.

At the time of the initial breast cancer diagnosis the friends received CT and MRI scans to check whether the cancer had spread further but the tests came back negative. Like most in their position they were not booked in for a potentially life-saving brain scan.

“At this time we were not given a brain scan and didn’t think for a moment that the cancer could have already spread to the brain,” added Suzi.

“As well as raising money for this amazing hospice we wanted to let other women know that this can happen and probably does more commonly than we think.

“I had pain in my shoulder which gradually got worse over time to the point where I needed help to put my coat on, despite having physio and seeing an osteopath.

“If after having breast cancer treatment you get any unexplained aches or pains which do not get better with treatment, we would urge you to push your oncologist for a brain scan.”

l To sponsor Suzi visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/ showFundraiserProfilePage.action?

userUrl=SuziCarthy