YSANNE Seddon and Judith Charlton were both devastated when they heard the diagnosis that they had breast cancer. But through their positive approach and determination, both women have not only been treated successfully, they have both embarked on new careers.

Their stories are an inspiration to all breast cancer sufferers.

Ysanne, who lives in Appleton, originally discovered a thickening in her left breast. Originally, she was told that it was fatty tissue and it was three years before she learned that it was breast cancer. She was diagnosed at Warrington Hospital.

"I was angry. I thought: Why me", said Ysanne.

She has one daughter, Victoria, who was nine at the time and Ysanne was 35. She had surgery for a lumpectomy. She handled it well, and apart from being in hospital, managed to stay on her feet all the time. "I was fine afterwards, but having cancer is frightening. You never know when it will return. With every little pain you get you think : It is coming back? But it changed my life."

Ysanne was working as a cashier before cancer struck and she decided not to go back. Instead, she took up a range of complementary therapies, including aromatherapy, reflexology, Indian head massage and Reiki, and set up on her own. She also gives the therapies to breast cancer patients at Warrington Hospital and is a volunteer support worker for Breast Cancer Care, giving emotional support to women who have been diagnosed with the illness. She has been doing this for four years. Ysanne is now also taking up beauty therapy and will give this to cancer patients.

Ysanne fought to stay optimistic after discovering she had cancer, for herself and her daughter. "I don't think breast cancer is doom and gloom. It can be treated and there is life after it," she said.

When she is giving support to women, both at the hospital and over the phone, she tries to put their minds at rest. "I often find that when they talk to somebody who has been through it, it helps them", she said.

Ysanne can be contacted on 01925 261871.

JUDITH Charlton was diagnosed in March last year. She found a lump in her right breast, was quickly referred to Warrington Hospital, a biopsy was done and it was found to be cancer. Her husband, Dave was with her when she was told. "I was numb", said Judith. "I wanted to hide in a corner and not tell anybody." Her children, Nicola, now 18 and Hannah, 11, were kept informed. "Nicola was distraught. She didn't believe it. She knew the impact of the word cancer. Hannah didn't understand and didn't say very much".

However, Hannah started to notice other people's reactions to her mother's situation and eventually broke down and said "What is cancer?"

Judith had surgery for the removal of tissue and lymph nodes, but by that stage, the cancer was no longer there. It had all gone when the first lump was removed. But although the cancer was small, it was an aggressive type and Judith had radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as a further precaution. She said: "I coped very well. I wasn't sick. I tried to carry on as normally as possible. I was surprised how strong I was. It is so surreal you can't believe it is happening. I had black days and felt low, and that I could die, but not very many. I did not really feel bad throughout any of it. My hair thinned, but I didn't need a wig."

Judith had a lot of good advice from breast cancer nurses, and was also one of Ysanne's clients. Ysanne gave her reflexology and talked to her. "It was nice to be able to talk. You do a lot of talking about it," said Judith.

She used to be head of communications for a regulatory body for land fill tax, but her illness led to a change of career direction. She decided to set up her own PR communications consultancy.

Now, Judith is having checks every three months and is taking Tamoxifen for five years. She said : "I feel very positive. I would advise women who get breast cancer to try to keep their lives as normal as possible. Other people appreciate it and it helps them to deal with it."

Ysanne and Judith are organising a charity ball to raise money for Breast Cancer Care and the Lavender Trust, which supports women under the age of 40 who are diagnosed with the disease.

The event is at the Hanover International Hotel, Stretton, on October 26 and marks Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Tickets are £35, the ball is black tie and the event includes a live band, casino and auction.

OCTOBER is breast cancer awareness month. It was first started 10 years ago by the Estee Lauder company in America and has since been established in 43 countries with the aim of sharing information and raising funds in support of early detection, treatment and prevention of the disease.

The Breast Cancer Care campaign is among the organistions in the UK supporting the special month.

Part of its work is encouraging women to be breast aware and it has issued guidelines for self breast checks. Points to look for include:

l A change in size. One breast may be noticeably larger, or lower.

lA nipple may become inverted, or change its position or shape.

lA rash around the nipple.

l Discharge from one or both nipples.

l Puckering or dimpling of the skin.

lA swelling under the armpit or around the collarbone.

l A lump or thickening in the breast that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue.

l Constant pain in one part of the breast, or in the armpit.

Breast Cancer Care encourage women to contact their GPs if they notice any changes in their breasts.