A MAYOR has spoken of her cancer scare in a bid to help other women gain the confidence to seek help.

Mayor Maureen McGarvey told a group of 100 women at the area's first Cancer Women's Conference yesterday of her months of worry after finding a lump in her breast a year ago.

The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen said: "Last year I had a problem and I looked at my family and I felt I couldn't tell them.

"My eldest daughter was getting married and I didn't want to distress her. As a grandmother and a mother you do not want to worry your family.

"I kept it all inside, behind the door, and became snappy at people.

"All of a sudden my son asked me what was wrong because he knew I'd been in and out of hospital, and I said I'd tell him in two weeks.

"I eventually told him two days before I went into hospital for tests.

"I was extremely lucky because what they found is 90 per cent OK - so I'm fine.

"But I have to go back for scans every three months to monitor the situation."

The conference, held in Jan's Community Centre, Blackburn, was organised and funded by groups including Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust and Blackburn with Darwen Council.

It aimed to raise awareness about cancer prevention through screening and healthy eating and nurses offered free health checks.

There was also a guest speaker from Macmillan Cancer Support and a drama group which humourously re-enacted real life interviews from women with cancer.

Shahida Hanif, a public health nurse from Blackburn with Darwen PCT, said: "In the past we have done little events with small groups about how to prevent cancer and how to deal with cancer if you get it, but this time we felt it was important to invite a lot of different women from community groups.

"Cancer does not discriminate between races and religions and it is very important that we pull women together on the common issue.

"We want to raise awareness of prevention, treatments and support networks available."

Coun McGarvey said that speaking about cancer was key to getting an early diagnosis.

She said: "Years ago people would not discuss cancer, but these kind of groups are here for people worried about things and can help.

"I would say to anyone to speak to someone about their fears and to pass the information they get on."