I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2004 and received an operation, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments that lasted until the end of August 2004.

My surgeon and oncologist both felt I was brave, but I knew better. You learn how to hide your true feelings from family and friends. I hid mine so well that not even my sister was aware that I was experiencing problems. Six years on, I am still hiding my fears and am unable to communicate with anyone about my worries that the cancer will return. And that scares the hell out of me.

I am told these fears are natural.

I do not think about it every day, just occasionally, mostly at between 4 am and 6 pm in the mornings when I am unable to sleep.

My message to other women who have been diagnosed is to seek counselling from your GP´s surgery, talk to someone other than family. If you are lucky and your surgeon and oncologist are as good as mine, then they will take the time to discuss your fears and find help for you. If you cannot do that, then talk to someone on the good chat sites, but take care … there are sites out there that are thoroughly depressing.