THREE years ago Sarah MacCallum - aged just 32 - was told she had breast cancer four days after the birth of her son, Angus.

Next Sunday, the third anniversary of her diagnosis, she and 200 other people will walk 13 miles around Newport to raise money for two cancer charities.

Friends and relatives will take part, but most are total strangers to the mother-of-two from Llangynidr, who has spent 18 months arranging the event.

The help Sarah received in her battle against a disease of which there are 40,000 cases a year in the United Kingdom, inspired her to organise the half-marathon walk.

Proceeds of the walk will be shared between Gwent Cancer Support and the national charity Breast Cancer Care.

"Gwent Cancer Support helped me with complementary therapies after my operation and Breast Cancer Care raises money for research," said Sarah.

"I wanted to do something to help others who might find themselves in my position and I'm completely humbled that so many people are prepared to do this with me.

"I've also had some fantastic support from businesses in Gwent and from companies like Red Bull, which is providing drinks for the walkers.

"But I'm desperate for marshals to help along the route. Anyone who can lend a hand should give me a ring!"

She had a cancerous lump removed eight days later, followed by eight months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiotherapy.

Quarterly check-ups and an annual mammogram are needed, but Sarah, who also has a five-year-old daughter, Liberty, is "feeling fine and ready to go" next Sunday.

Though the 40,000 cases a year is an all-time high according to Cancer Research UK figures released yesterday, more women with breast cancer are being successfully treated.

Three out of four now survive for five years or longer after diagnosis.

But though the death rate dropped 21 per cent in the 10 years to 2001, around 13,000 women died of breast cancer that year. Use of the drug Tamoxifen and of the screening programme account for significant improvements in survival, but scientists are only just beginning to understand risk factors.

Levels of oestrogen seem to be important and it is known that obesity in post-menopausal women can raise the levels of the female hormone.

* Anyone who can help out as a marshal next Sunday may ring Sarah on 01874 731077, or e-mail: SARAHMAC@pinkfizz.fsnet.co.uk

* The figures released today by Cancer Research UK show there were 40,989 new cases of breast cancer in the UK in 1999.

This was an increase on 1998 when there were 39,294 and 1997 when there were 37,759 new cases.

The incidence of breast cancer is therefore rising by around two percent a year and, based on this trend, the number of new cases for 2003 could be around 44,000. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons for the ongoing rise in cases.

It is understood that age, family history, genes, alcohol consumption, number of children, breastfeeding, HRT and obesity could all play a part.

* Pictured: Sarah MacCallum with her children Liberty and Angus