It was a quiet period at work for self-employed education consultant Christine Masson, otherwise she might never have made an appointment to see her GP.

"I found what I would describe as a thickening of the skin on my breast," she said, "It was so innocuous that I nearly didn't do anything about it."

However, her GP referred her to hospital straight away and two weeks later a scan and biopsy revealed two lumps which were cancerous.

"It was a shock initially," said Christine, 56, "I could not even feel the other lump. What I found most disturbing was that they were both relatively small but even at that early stage it was spreading.

"It is amazing that I just happened to have a window in my diary and I went quickly to my GP."

Three weeks later Christine had surgery at St Luke's Hospital and she is now having chemotherapy at Bradford Royal Infirmary to help stop the cancer coming back.

It was here she was asked by Dr Chris Bradley if she would like to take part in a clinical trial known as Tact, sponsored by the Cancer Research Campaign, to test combinations of chemotherapy for women with breast cancer.

"I did not dither very much when I was asked," she said.

"I thought that if I have to go through with the chemo, I might as well add to the fount of human knowledge. I asked Dr Bradley about the risk factors and I appreciated that I was given straight information."

Even so, Christine admits that she was not looking forward to chemotherapy. But so far her experiences have been positive.

"A friend had chemotherapy ten years ago and hated it," she said, "But the changes since then have been enormous.

"The anti-sickness drugs are working and I have had no side effects so far. I have also used the scalp cooler to prevent hair loss, which makes a difference.

"I do not have any fear any more. That has been replaced by pragmatism.

"I have a good deal of confidence in the treatment and the team that is dealing with me. I am hopeful and being part of a trial means I will be closely monitored."

The mum-of-two no longer takes her health for granted and is persuading her friends to do the same.

"A lot of women still do not check their breasts even though there is a higher level of awareness," she said, "I have been giving out leaflets to friends on how they should examine their breasts.

"What I felt was like scar tissue and I consider myself very lucky that I sought treatment straight away."