by PETE LAMMAS

A MUM and her two daughters who all survived breast cancer are in the pink and are adding their support to next month's national campaign to highlight the fact that the potentially life threatening disease CAN be beaten.

They are mum Margaret Bartlett, aged 68, formerly from Bromsgrove and now living in Stourport, her eldest daughter Caroline Bedford, 42, from Wildmoor and Sharon Chance, 36, who lives in Stoke Prior.

Aided by a huge symbolic bra all three are urging people to join Cancer Research UK's fund raising Get In The Pink campaign which runs throughout October.

Sharon, who was diagnosed with the disease in 1998 was successfully treated at the Alexandra Hospital, while Caroline received her treatment at the Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham.

Margaret was given the unwelcome news of her illness by doctors at the former Bromsgrove General Hospital on, of all days, her birthday in 1981.

Sharon, acting as the spokeswoman, and who works at Harris's the Stoke Prior brush factory, was the last to contract the disease in 1998 and carried on with her job through her chemotherapy treatment.

Thinking back to that time she recalls the news, though obviously devastating, was also something almost inevitable.

"It was like living on a time bomb," she remembers. "After my mother and sister had it I was more or less expecting it myself.

"It came as a shock, but also something of a relief that now that I had it, I could get treatment and simply get on with my life."

She believes a positive mental attitude is very important in combating the disease, and hopefully overcoming it.

"There is just so much to do in life," she says.

Not unnaturally she believes the experience has changed her life and she admits - a little shamefacedly - it has made her a bit selfish.

"Now if I want to do something I don't wait around. I just do it."

Praising the three for allowing their story to be told,

Birmingham-based area fundraiser for Cancer Research UK, Jan West, said it is rare to find a mother and two daughters who have had breast cancer, a disease that will at some time affect one in nine women, and be diagnosed in 300 men each year.

An inherited gene has been identified as the possible culprit and for that reason Sharon and Caroline's daughters will receive regular medical checks.

The charity aims to raise £5,000 in Worcestershire from next month's campaign.

This will help boost the £176m which Cancer Relief UK raises to fund 3,000 scientists who are striving to find cures and treatment for cancer.

Jan said they want groups, work colleagues schools and individuals to organise 'pink' fundraising events such as parties and functions where ribbons, T-shirts, umbrellas, fun wigs and even cute cuddly pink puppies can be sold.

To find out more, or to take part in the campaign call Jan on 0121 212 1707 or her mobile 07770 447 355.