A WOMAN who watched her father lose his battle with cancer has said surviving the disease twice herself has put everything into perspective.

Caroline Webber, from Oxford, first discovered she had breast cancer 11 years ago and spent five years on medication before being given the all clear.

But last April, the 62-year-old was given the devastating news the cancer had returned after visiting the hospital for a routine mammogram.

She said: "I didn't have a lump in my breast or anything, all I had was some pain and breathlessness, which I would never have associated with cancer.

"When I got the diagnosis I had holidays booked and I had things planned for the future but because of the chemotherapy I had to cancel everything.

"It all seemed as if it was all just part of the circle of life and I wouldn't ever be able to plan anything ever again because I didn't know if I could look forward.

"I didn't know if I was going to live."

Mrs Webber, who lives with husband Andy just off Botley Road, said seeing her father die of bowel cancer at the age of 77 made the ordeal even more scary.

She said: "I was 46 when my dad died and I saw him go through it all, so I knew just how painful it could be.

"You never think it will be you and then when it is you, it's terrifying.

"The adverts on TV and the articles in the paper just seemed to be pointing towards the fact that I might die and I just used to ask myself 'am I going to live?'"

But now Mrs Webber has been given the all clear and she says she could not have got through the lowest points of her life without the help of the 'Where Now?' group at Maggie's Oxford cancer support centre which offers emotional and practical advice to survivors.

She said: "All I can say is thank god for Maggie's and the wonderful work it does.

"You never feel as if you're alone and if there is someone there for you, to help you re-assemble your life.

"All of us in the group have created such a close bond because it's been an emotional journey, but a journey we're on all together just at different points."

Now she is in remission, Mrs Webber says she is learning to live life to the full and to enjoy every day.

She said: "After having cancer, you learn to appreciate things and to make the most of life.

"I always think to myself, well if you want it, just have it and don't hold back because what is the point in not enjoying yourself."

To find out more about Maggie's services, visit: maggiescentres.org/our-centres/maggies-oxford/