Her friends describe her as a ‘walking miracle’.

In 2015, Vivienne Jackson was diagnosed with lung cancer which spread to her brain.

In the following seven years, Vivienne, who lives in Shelf, was treated for a total of six tumours in her brain, along with a tumour in adrenal gland and lesions on her vulva, all of which had spread from primary lung cancer.

The 66-year-old also developed an unconnected tumour in her kidney.

With regular scans showing no signs of cancer since 2022, says she is living proof of the power of research.

Indeed, she believes she owes her survival to specialist radiotherapy that Cancer Research UK helped to develop.

In the run-up to the General Election, Vivienne gave her support to the charity’s Turning Point for Cancer campaign, which stated that tackling the disease must be a top election priority for all political parties.  

Her call comes as new analysis from the charity reveals around 188,000 people in the Yorkshire and The Humber are projected to be diagnosed with cancer in the next five years.

Vivienne, who works from home as a full-time legal assistant, said: “Cancer is the defining health issue of our time. So many people’s lives are touched by this devastating disease and the numbers are only growing. So, we must make sure cancer is at the forefront of the minds of all future MPs.   

“My cancer diagnosis turned my world upside down. I couldn’t understand it. I didn’t feel unwell at all, apart from getting things mixed up. In fact, I asked the doctor how I could have lung cancer, although I was an ex-smoker I walked three miles to work five times a week.

“But, thanks to research, and the incredible NHS staff who treated me, I’m still here and able to enjoy many more precious moments with my two sisters, two brothers and my many nieces and nephews.

“Not everyone is so fortunate. That’s why I’m supporting this campaign. I’m determined to do everything I can to help spare others from unnecessary heartache.” 

Cancer Research UK’s calculations reveal that within five years, the UK Government could help prevent around 500 deaths from the disease in Yorkshire and The Humber if a long-term, fully-funded cancer strategy is rapidly rolled out after the election, along with measures to support research and better prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.

The charity also wants to see politicians bring back legislation to raise the age of sale of tobacco, so that nobody born on or after January 1, 2009, would ever legally be sold cigarettes in their lifetime.  

Vivienne understands what is at stake all too well after she was diagnosed. She had been struggling to use her computer keyboard and see the screen at work and thought she was just over tired, but thankfully her friends persuaded her to go to A&E. She was admitted and after a series of scans and tests, she was told the next morning she had stage 4 lung cancer which had spread through the lymph nodes to her brain and caused the confusion and lack of coordination.

“The news was a shock. It was difficult to take in, but that was the diagnosis. Telling my family was really hard, as we have always been quite closely knit, and it was such an upsetting time for them. Cancer is such a scary word.”

Doctors had to choose between treating the original cancer in her lung first, or the tumour that had spread to her brain. They decided to treat the brain first, using a type of radiotherapy called Gamma Knife.  

Vivienne added: “Success stories like mine would not be possible without advances in research and treatment.”

Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for Yorkshire, Nicki Embleton, said the General Election “must be a turning point for cancer.”