A MUM battling with cancer is raising money for treatment which could be her last hope.

Sarah Poole was diagnosed with breast cancer last November.

Her mum had died from breast cancer but as it was not a genetic form of the disease, Sarah was not offered a mammogram.

It was only after she found a small dimple and demanded she been seen at the hospital she was diagnosed.

By January, the cancer had spread to her spine, liver and lymph nodes.

Sarah, 39, of Colchester, said: “I had no symptoms, I had some pain but I was told I was starting menopause.

“After an extensive mammogram they found the cancer then in January they found it had spread to other places.

“The lumps in my breast and spine were so big it meant the cancer was incurable.”

Sarah underwent chemotherapy which was enough to combat the smaller tumours in other parts of her body, and she was put on a trial drug.

She had asked for a CT scan as her mum’s cancer had spread to her head, but she was told it was not necessary.

But in August, she had a seizure.

She said: “Luckily my husband, Tom, and friend were there. I was rushed to hospital and my family was told I wasn’t going to make it that night.

“I had 32 bits of broken off tumour in my brain and a couple had bled which caused the seizure. I was not supposed to recover, but I did.”

Sarah has been having radiotherapy and a scan in December will determine if it has worked.

She said: “I feel if it hasn’t worked, we have run out of options. This is why I’m raising money, so we an try something else in January.”

Money raised will go towards proton beam therapy which should hopefully kill the cancer cells.

If she is not eligible for it, the family will look to Holland or America for alternative treatment.

Another worry for Sarah is her daughter Beth, who is ten, as eight other family members have cancer.

Sarah said: “My main focus is if they can’t help me, the money will go towards my daughter as she may get it.”

She added: “The beginning was easy as there was no pain and I had been told I had 15 years left.

“However, now I’ve had the seizure I’m on medication and I have to have daily checks. I’ve now been told I have less than a year.”

Sarah said Tom, 35, and Beth have been strong and supportive. “Beth is quite tough, her attitude towards me is different as she likes to care for me and make sure I’m OK,” said Sarah.

“We are seeing counsellors at St Helena Hospice, they have been amazing.”

Her friend, Serene Carney, has also been supportive and has Serene’s son, Calvin Carruthers, is taking part in a charity boxing match in November to raise money for her treatment.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/serene-carney.

Halstead Gazette:

Calvin's charity boxing match will be at The Princes Theatre in Clacton on November 17. 

For tickets or more information call 07475 096532. 

Standard admission is £30, or £60 for ringside.