By Jane Elliott BBC News health reporter

Jacky urges other women to get screened

An initial screening showed she had a primary cancer in her right breast and check-ups revealed another cancer in her left breast.

At another check-up, following on from her breast cancer, medics spotted a lump under her arm, which after investigation proved to be non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and then later they discovered a skin cancer on her chest.

"If I had not gone to that initial check-up I would have had four cancers and I would not have been here now," said Jacky.

Prognosis

"I am just so grateful they were all primary cancers, which had not spread and, because of the check-ups, they caught them all at a very early stage."

Now Jacky has agreed to put her story on the web to urge other women to get themselves checked out and take advantage of the free screening programme offered by the NHS to all women aged between 50-70.

I was just caught at the right time Jacky Merrison

Using video clips, audio and written accounts, Dipex (the Database of Individual Patient Experience), which is supported by the NHS, provides information about a number of conditions.

Jacky, who works as a volunteer with Breast Cancer Care, contributed to a section which provides information specifically for women who are worried about going for screening and allows them to read about other women's experiences so that they know what to expect.

"Sharing experiences can provide tremendous reassurance to women and can also be very rewarding to the women who are telling their stories," she said.

Jacky, 63, says she has become almost evangelical in her drive to get women to go for regular screens, and admits she often stops women in her village in Lincolnshire to ask whether they have been.

She was first called for a scan when she was 52, and within an hour was back at work as a civilian manager in the police.

"When I got the invitation I thought I'd better make sure I go for this.

"It was 30 seconds of discomfort in a comfortable environment."

Treatment

Just two weeks later, after being referred to a specialist she was told she had breast cancer in her right breast, which was then removed by lumpectomy - surgery to remove the cancerous tissue, but not the whole breast.

She was forced to undergo a full mastectomy operation after her second breast cancer was detected.

Because the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and the skin cancer were spotted so early surgeons were able simply to remove the cancer without need for any further treatments.

Jacky only ever had one session of radiotherapy for her first breast cancer, this was stopped when medics saw it had not spread and never needed chemotherapy.

"I had a reconstruction of the left breast and had it augmented so now I have matching breasts.

"I was just caught at the right time. I had never thought that I would have breast cancer - it is like an accident you never think it will happen to you.

"Early detection can lead to simple, effective treatment. Sometimes women are frightened about attending for breast screening, but for the sake of their family, friends and their quality of life I would encourage all women to accept the invitation."

Jacky has given up work and trained as a counsellor - but says she and now enjoys life to the full.

"Every day is a joy. I do not worry about the things that I used to. It has given me a whole new joy in life. I do golf, yoga and Tai Chi now."

Screening

Dr Rosalind Given-Wilson, consultant radiologist, from St. George's Hospital, London, explained that screening is vital to catch early breast cancers.

"There is good evidence that regular screening does reduce the risk from dying from breast cancer by 30%.

"It is worthwhile. It will not eliminate the risk, but the chances are better."

She said that in the UK between 70-80% of women take up their invitation to be screened, but that if this number was increased the mortality rates would fall even lower.

Dr Given-Wilson added that women over the age of 70 were not called for screening, but were able and were encouraged to refer themselves.

Women under 50 are not routinely called for screening because mammograms seem not to be as effective in pre-menopausal women.