A courageous mum who underwent surgery to rid her body of the terrifying risk of cancer is acting as an ambassador for research.

Tracy Barraclough is spreading the word about life-saving scientific advances and leading promotion for Cancer Research UK.

And she is hoping her experience and fundraising will inspire others to follow her example in aid of the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can... Cancer Research Appeal.

Last December, the T&A told how the 42-year-old mum opted to have a hysterectomy and double mastectomy after her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother died of ovarian cancer.

Tests identified she had inherited the BRCA1 gene, which can lead to a lifetime risk of up to 80 per cent for breast cancer and an increased chance of ovarian cancer. Her story has now been reported in the national press, including one paper which donated £50 to the Bradford Can... Appeal.

Tracey, of Calverley, said: "What keeps me going is not just what happened to me, but the thought of how my mother suffered.

"At least while I'm promoting research, I feel as if her life has not been in vain.

"If it hadn't been for cancer research, my story would have been very different."

The Bradford Can... Appeal aims to rise £1 million for cancer research at Bradford University and drug trials at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

If successful, the fund-raising will trigger another £5 million from Cancer Research UK.

Tracey is also taking part in Cancer Research UK's Race for Life event at Roundhay Park, Leeds, on May 12.

Women will be able to walk, run or jog 5km for the charity to help cancers which strike females.

Similar events being held across the country will aim to raise a total of £12million.

Race organiser David Martin said: "Tracey is a woman who will inspire and motivate other women to take part in Race for Life and help us raise vital funds for cancers which touch women's lives - women like Tracey."

To enter the race, call 08705 134314 or visit www.raceforlife.co.uk.

Entry costs £7.50 or £4.50 for under-18s and women are asked to raise £50 in sponsorship.