GILL Begg’s world was shattered when she was told she had a rare form of incurable cancer.

The news was broken to her in May last year and doctors were unable to give a long-term prognosis.

But a year on and Mrs Begg, aged 39, is staying positive, and focusing on running to raise money for charity.

She was diagnosed with endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS), cancer of the lining of the womb — a very rare condition with only about 50 people being diagnosed each year in the UK.

Not much is known about the disease.

Mrs Begg is married to Ian and has two children, Jamie, aged five, and Emma, aged three.

She said: “It was just mindblowing. To be told you have incurable cancer is just horrific.

“But they don’t know a lot about it or my personality. I’ve got two young children and have everything to live for.

“I have got to stay positive and hopeful. I am determined to fight it. I want to be around as long as possible.”

Mrs Begg began to feel unwell early last year, then she found a lump in her stomach.

Doctors at the Royal Bolton Hospital diagnosed advanced ESS in the May, with surgery at the Beaumont Hospital taking place later that month.

She had a hysterectomy and two-thirds of her bowel were removed.

Mrs Begg, who lives in Edgworth, started on daily medication in a bid to slow down the cancer in September.

She had another operation last November, when more tumours were found and removed.

Mrs Begg, a supply teacher, is now being monitored.

Last month she took part in the Great Manchester Run, raising £500 for The Christie.

And now she is preparing to do the Garstang half-marathon in September, in aid of Sarcoma UK.

Mrs Begg said: “Going running is my saviour. I feel like I’m leaving the cancer behind.

“If I can run a 10k and half-marathon there’s clearly nothing much wrong with me. I know there is, but it’s a matter of staying positive.”

She hopes to do a marathon next and wants her story to help others diagnosed with advanced cancer.

Mrs Begg said: “Don’t give up ever, just keep on hoping and appreciate everything you have got.”

She would like to thank her husband, Ian, parents, Chris and Neil Catterall, and her friends and neighbours for their support.

cherry.thomas@ theboltonnews.co.uk