BREAST cancer patient Joanna Bott from Salisbury is lending her support to the Journal/Stars Appeal campaign.

Mrs Bott was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, at the age of 26.

“I noticed a lump and I went to my GP who referred me up to the hospital and it turned out it was breast cancer,” she said.

Mrs Bott, a veterinary nurse, had a full mastectomy and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

She is now part-way through ten years of hormone therapy.

“Having cancer can be very isolating,”

said Mrs Bott, 29. “Since my diagnosis I have met some wonderful people and been fortunate to have a lot of support, but it is not easy for everybody to seek such help.

“That’s why I think a specialist breast unit would be a fabulous idea.

“A place for patients to go without feeling embarrassed, a hub of support and information, and somewhere everything can be done in one place.”

Mrs Bott, who got married last year, also said she wanted to raise awareness about younger people getting the disease.

“I wanted to help show it can be a younger person’s problem as well, it’s not just an older person’s disease.”

She added: “I think because there are a lot of breast cancer charities out there, a lot of people probably think that there is a lot of money that goes into it anyway. But this is going to benefit local people. It is a local campaign where local people benefit.”