71844-03SISTERS Annette Renfree and Angie Beattie have kick-started a breast cancer fundraising campaign by riding in a pink limousine.

The pair, who have both been touched by the disease, joined nine women from the House of Fraser department store in Canal Walk, Swindon, dressed in pink to represent the 11 women a day who are diagnosed with breast cancer in the South West.

Death rates have dropped by more than 20 cent over the last decade, thanks to screening and research, but women still have a one-in-nine chance of developing the disease.

The fundraising drive, called Think Pink, supports Cancer Research UK's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign.

Annette, 49, of Elmore, Eldene, was diagnosed with breast cancer on October 1, 2002, after spotting abnormalities.

Although she successfully completed treatment last May, fate had a cruel twist for her. Just seven weeks ago, Angie, 51, of Kingswood Avenue, Park North, was also diagnosed with the disease after a routine mammogram.

She quickly had a lumpectomy and is now awaiting radiotherapy.

The siblings are now worried that there may be a genetic breast cancer link and Angie's 32-year-old daughter is being referred to a clinic in Oxford for genetic testing.

Annette and Angie are backing the Think Pink campaign and encouraging people to get involved in fundraising activities. And both have some strong advice for women.

Angie said: "Fear prevents many women and men going for regular check-ups and although it is a very frightening experience to be told you have cancer, so many medical advances have been made that early detection really could save your life.

"If I had not gone for that routine mammogram I would not have known there was anything wrong."

Jeanne Scolding, superintendent radiographer at the Wiltshire Breast Screening Unit at the Great Western Hospital, agreed. She said: "Women are invited to attend mammography every three years and the Wiltshire Breast Screening Service has a good uptake compared to national figures.

"The different events taking place will give everyone an opportunity to get involved and raise funds."

Think Pink runs from now until the end of October. For an information pack call 08701 602040.

kshoesmith@newswilts.co.uk

She said: "Why not turn your workplace pink, hold a pink pub quiz, serve pink food or turn an exercise class pink at your local gym pink?"

Sophie James, spokeswoman for Cancer Research UK, urged people to back the initiative.

Annette added: "Be breast aware. Watch for any changes and seek help as soon as you notice anything that appears unusual- not necessarily a lump."

Kevin Shoesmith