A MOTHER-of-two is celebrating being a cancer survivor by running a lap of honour for Cancer Research UK.

Marion Street, from Cam, battled breast cancer three years ago and has come through to carry on enjoying life.

She will take part in the Cancer Research UK ‘relay for life’ next week to celebrate those who survived cancer and pay tribute to those who lost their life to the disease.

Marion, 55, of Court House Gardens, is keen to highlight her battle with cancer to prove that lots of people do survive cancer and go on to live a normal life.

"Everybody is frightened of cancer – you think it is a death sentence," said Marion.

"When I was told I had cancer I thought 'That’s it, I’ve had it'. But if you catch it early and get treatment you will get through it and lots of people survive.

"All my friends and family supported me the whole way through the treatment, I would never have been able to have cope without them," added Marion, mother to Paul, 26, and Greg, 29, both from Dursley.

Joining Marion at the relay for life will be her good friend Suzette Simms, from Cambridge, who she met while working in the office at Magnox power station, in Berkeley.

"When your friend has got cancer you almost feel like you are going through it with them and there are tears, but you get through it together," said Suzette.

"Everyone knows someone who has cancer or who has been affected by it. My parents both died of cancer and so I am really happy to be helping out at the Cancer Research event."

Marion still goes for regular check ups for cancer and says it is something that never leaves her mind.

"I still worry about it and worry that it will come back. It is always on your mind but you just have to get through it and it does get better," said Marion.

"I will be proud to do the lap of honour because I think it is important to show people how many people survive cancer and go on to live happy lives."

The Cancer Research relay for life is a 24-hour open event at Stroud Rugby Club, starting at 6pm on Friday, August 15. There will also be a candle of hope ceremony to remember loved ones lost to cancer.