An inspirational woman living with breast cancer is helping others affected by the disease by taking to the catwalk.

Emma Freeborn, 31, from Croydon, is taking centre stage in Breast Cancer Care’s annual Fashion Show on October 7 at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane.

Emma said she was thrilled to be picked as one of the 24 models taking part in this year’s show.

She said: “I’ve wanted to be in the show for the past four years, so I’m really excited.”

“As well as it being great fun, I hope that by being involved I can send out a positive message about living with secondary breast cancer.”

Emma was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, just two months after getting engaged to Dave.

She had to battle her primary care trust to get the wonder drug Herceptin to treat her cancer.

They initially refused to pay for it because hers was not an exceptional case. After taking the drug for 10 months she was cancer free and married to partner Dave.

However, Emma’s battle was not over. While she was on her honeymoon, she noticed a crippling pain in her back. Upon her return, she discovered that the cancer had returned to her spine.

“There was some initial panic after I received the diagnosis, but then I sat down and thought about what I was going to do.

“Secondary breast cancer is very different to a primary diagnosis. It’s no longer a case of trying to do everything that you can to make the cancer go. I realised that this was something I was going to have to live with and that it was part of my life.”

Emma has been closely involved with breast cancer charities since her diagnosis, raising funds for research.

She said she hoped that her involvement with the fashion show will help others with the disease.

“I think it’s really important to show that while people do die of breast cancer, it’s not an automatic death sentence. People are living longer with secondary breast cancer and my life is brilliant - I wouldn’t swap it with anyone.”

Tickets for the show are available from £60. To book now call 020 7960 3554 or email theshow@breastcancercare.org.uk.

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