'I feel like a woman again not a victim'

But can you imagine what it must be like for those who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer, being left with no hair and a totally different appearance?

Realising there was a great need to give women with cancer a boost, The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Foundation set up a charity in 1993 called Look Good... Feel Better.

The charity provides free make-overs to female cancer sufferers at hospitals with the nearest to Worcestershire at Cheltenham General, in Gloucestershire.

Sarah-Jane Robertson, a spokeswoman for the charity, explained: "We help women cancer patients in the most practical and positive way.

"Women with cancer are often faced with distressing side-effects during their treatment, some of which can change their appearance and body image. For a woman to look in the mirror and see an entirely different person staring back is devastating. LGFB was formed to help women during this difficult period."

One Worcester woman who has benefited from the charity is Isla Smith, who was diagnosed with cancer in October 2004. Speaking about her make-over, Isla said: "It was a real boost to my self esteem and the thought of a day's pampering really gave me something positive to look forward to.

"Not only did it give me the chance to share experiences with other women in my situation but it helped me feel like a woman again rather than a cancer victim," said Isla, who is in her 30s.

"We all looked very glamorous by the end of the day and were given goodie bags full of cosmetics we used.

"The make-over was an unexpected treat during what has been a difficult six months and I left feeling fabulous."

The charity is totally funded by the cosmetics industry, and Worcester beautician Charlotte Wilson has worked for it voluntarily since it was founded.

"I came across it because at the time I was working for Estee Lauder, which was one of the founder companies behind the charity," said Charlotte, who is now accounts manager for the Clinique counter at Beatties, in CrownGate, Worcester.

"It's very, very rewarding," she said. "The first time I did it was for a young girl who was only 16 and had had chemo and was going through radiotherapy.

"She had lost all her hair and was supposed to be going to a school summer ball but was lacking the confidence to go to it. She was amazing and inspiring. We gave her tips on things such as how to draw in eyebrows.

"A couple of months later she came back to the shop and I didn't recognise her because all her hair had grown back and she was looking fabulous. She was so thankful for what we had done that day, which was great to know we had made such a difference."

From Saturday, May 7, Worcester's Beatties is set to have a 'Make-over Madness Week'. All women in the county are invited to book a free make-over with a top beauty adviser at the store, in exchange for a small donation, which will go to LGFB.

Not only will you be supporting women with cancer, get a whole new look, but you will also be entered in a prize draw to win £500 worth of Chanel products.

The charity's executive director, Ann Harvey said: "This will be a wonderful week of events.

"Please come along and enjoy the treats on offer and show your support for fellow women."

Book a makeover on 01905 723456

BEING diagnosed with cancer would undoubtedly throw your life into chaos - leaving you questioning your mortality and fearing the future.

And with the trauma comes arduous treatment, which can take a dramatic toll on your appearance. Here, features writer Emma Cullwick discovers the work of a charity transforming the image and self-confidence of Worcestershire women with cancer

Look Good...Feel Better is a free service offering advice on skincare and makeup, together with a gift of products, to women undergoing treatment for cancer.

Clinical research has confirmed that for many women, if they can manage to take care of their appearance during an illness and look good - they will gain confidence and feel lots better.

Check out the beauty industry's very latest

A NEW exhibition called Body & Soul aimed at the health and beauty conscious is to be held at The NEC, in Birmingham.

The event, aimed at those aged 20 to 55, is scheduled for Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 and will encompass all elements of looking good and feeling great.

More than 15,000 square metres will be dedicated to showcasing the latest treatments and therapies.

It is expected the show, the only one of its kind to be held outside London, will attract more than 25,000 people from across the country.

Primarily aimed at females as a great girls day out, Body & Soul organisers also hope to attract image conscious men.

Gym dodgers urged to walk ONLY 14 per cent of Brits regularly attend the gym and a third of those who join in the New Year quit within six months, a survey has found.

Lloydspharmacy and the British Heart Foundation are urging people to get walking to head for a healthy summer.

The BHF recommends we take 10,000 steps a day to help reduce body fat and maintain a healthy heart - although the average person paces just 4,000 to 6,000 steps.

Three fun ways to increase your step counts are:

n Use the toilet on one of the other floors at home, or work.

n Walk to the next bus stop along the route.

n Hide the remote control and get up to change TV channels.

Pine bark in asthma study NEW research has found that Pycnogenol - the extract of French pine bark - can help children with asthma.

A study at the Loma Linda University in California on 60 children aged six to 18, with mild to moderate asthma claimed, all those using Pycnogenol could breathe out larger quantities of air and 60 per cent were able to come off their inhalers altogether.

Suburbs' stars

ARE you Britain's most charismatic cleaner? Or you could be a full-time baby sitter?

Shine Television is looking for the backbone of British suburbia, 'The Domestic Help', for a new documentary. Call Shine TV on 0870 7268864.