Janice shows there is life after cancer (From York Press)
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Janice Gowing shows there is life after cancer
8:00am Saturday 15th September 2012 in News
Looking forward to the Bramham Park Fun Run are, from left, Andrew Beadnall, organiser Ann Newton, Janice Gowing and Martin Shaw, of Martin Shaw Fitness
A NORTH Yorkshire woman who endured months of gruelling treatment after discovering a lump in her breast says she now wants to show others there is life after cancer.
Janice Gowing, 61, was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago and underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction operation followed by five months of chemotherapy and three weeks of radiotherapy.
The treatment was a success and although she returned to the council job she had held for a decade, she said she knew she could not return to her old life.
As Mrs Gowing had already trained as a counsellor, she decided to set up her own life coaching organisation, as well as taking part in fundraisers for Cancer Research and travelling the world.
Recalling her diagnosis, Mrs Gowing said: “I had found something in my breast, but because it didn’t feel like a lump I wasn’t too worried. I thought it was some sort of a cyst and would be easily dealt with. When the consultant said the words ‘tumour’ and ‘mastectomy’ I felt as if the floor had opened up and I was falling through it.”
The treatment was a success and Mrs Gowing, of Knaresborough, said: “I knew my life would never be the same after cancer and decided I needed to make a big change and do something different, to not put off the dreams that I had, to stop playing safe and to take some risks.
“I really believe in the phrase “carpe diem” – seize the day. My husband, Eric, and I no longer put off things that we want to do. I feel I have been given a second chance and don’t intend to waste it. I have always been a positive person and am here to prove that there is life after cancer and it can be a better life than before.”
Mrs Gowing is due to take part in the Bramham Park Fun Run for Cancer Research at St James’s Hospital in Leeds, on Sunday, October 7.
Early entry fees are £8 for adults, £4.50 for children and £19.50 for families. Registration and sponsorship forms are available from bramhamparkfunrun.org.uk or by phoning Ann Newton on 01937 841470, on her mobile 07751 486729, or email info@bramhamparkfunrun.org.uk
