Janice Gowing shows there is life after cancer

8:00am Saturday 15th September 2012 in News

A NORTH Yorkshire woman who endured months of gruelling treatment after discovering a lump in her breast says she now wants to show others there is life after cancer.

Janice Gowing, 61, was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago and underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction operation followed by five months of chemotherapy and three weeks of radiotherapy.

The treatment was a success and although she returned to the council job she had held for a decade, she said she knew she could not return to her old life.

As Mrs Gowing had already trained as a counsellor, she decided to set up her own life coaching organisation, as well as taking part in fundraisers for Cancer Research and travelling the world.

Recalling her diagnosis, Mrs Gowing said: I had found something in my breast, but because it didnt feel like a lump I wasnt too worried. I thought it was some sort of a cyst and would be easily dealt with. When the consultant said the words tumour and mastectomy I felt as if the floor had opened up and I was falling through it.

The treatment was a success and Mrs Gowing, of Knaresborough, said: I knew my life would never be the same after cancer and decided I needed to make a big change and do something different, to not put off the dreams that I had, to stop playing safe and to take some risks.

I really believe in the phrase carpe diem seize the day. My husband, Eric, and I no longer put off things that we want to do. I feel I have been given a second chance and dont intend to waste it. I have always been a positive person and am here to prove that there is life after cancer and it can be a better life than before.

Mrs Gowing is due to take part in the Bramham Park Fun Run for Cancer Research at St Jamess Hospital in Leeds, on Sunday, October 7.

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Janice shows there is life after cancer