A BLACKBURN woman who survived breast cancer has been chosen to appear in a charity calendar.

Heather Hook, 46, who lives in Hereford Road, developed breast cancer in 2008 and had one of her breasts removed, after two attempts at a lumpectomy.

The surgery was followed by six months of chemotherapy, and after finding out she had the faulty BRCA1 gene, Heather persuaded medical staff to also remove her other breast and ovaries.

After beating the cancer, Heather is now living life to the full.

She has completed a unive-rsity degree, and renewed her marriage vows.

And Heather has now also been picked to feature on the June page of hereditary breast cancer charity BRCA’s calendar.

Heather said: “I was determined to eradicate cancer from my life and be around for my son Alex and daughter Chloe.

“I was the glue that held the family together, so I wasn’t prepared to watch my loved ones fall apart.

“My beautiful cousin Rowena died at the age of 30 from the disease. I attended her funeral the day after reconstruction.

“I don’t want this future for my children, which is why for me it is important to raise awareness to prevent such tragedies.

“This year my daughter will find out if she has the faulty gene. I want both my children to know that life can go on.

“I didn’t survive cancer to exist, it was to embrace life and live it to the full.

“Many members of my family have been for testing and discovered that they have the faulty gene. This has been difficult for each member, yet empowering at the same time, giving the individuals some control over their life.

“It is not easy to make the decision to have the test, but for me and family members we owe it to that beautiful angel that was Rowena to make sure we have the chance of life.”

The fundraising calendar is available to buy online at http://brcababes.com/.