WHEN Swindon response officer Emma Brown booked an appointment for a stomach complaint the last thing she expected doctors to find was a tumour the size of a rugby ball.

Suspecting she may have appendicitis, her GP referred her to Great Western Hospital, where she had a scan last December.

A 17.5cm tumour was discovered on her right ovary and four days later PC Brown was receiving surgery to remove the growth.

Believing the worst was over she returned to see her surgeon a few weeks later for what she thought was just a check-up. Instead she was given the devastating news that she had ovarian cancer.

Her right ovary was removed and she underwent chemotherapy last spring.

Far from letting her illness get the better of her or allow herself to become complacent, through the months of treatment the police officer focused on raising funds for cancer research and support.

Her determination to beat cancer and improve the lives of other sufferers were rewarded tenfold as she celebrated collecting £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and beating her illness.

“I was scared but I decided to face it with a smile and as much courage as I could muster,” said the 40-year-old from Marlborough.

“I also decided that as I was not going to be able to go back to work for a while I would use the opportunity to give something to those who were not lucky enough to have the tremendous support that I had and may not have been so lucky in their diagnosis, and that they would be more in need of help and support from Macmillan.

“This is when I decided to start fundraising for Macmillan, and what better way than to shave my head.”

Emma received the buzz cut in February.

But this was only the beginning of her fundraising efforts. A coffee morning at Gablecross Police Station, collections and donations from Marlborough firefighters allowed her to reach the £5,000 mark.

“Macmillan Cancer Support has helped with the information side of things and I always knew that they were there if I needed them.

“Each target hit has been a boost to me and the messages on the Just Giving site have reduced me to tears of pride and happiness.”

PC Brown returned to work in June, had her last chemotherapy session on July 4 and was given the all-clear on July 31.

She added: “I hope my fundraising and the efforts and support of Macmillan Cancer Support will go some way to helping other people see sunshine through the clouds.”