A BRAVE pensioner who has beaten cancer three times will put her best foot forward -- to help other sufferers.

Margaret Macartney, aged 62, from Radcliffe, has signed-up to take part in Bolton's Race for Life, a 5km women-only race being held at Leverhulme Park on Sunday June 22.

She will be joined in the race to raise cash for Cancer Research UK by her daughter Claire Hilton, aged 34, and the granddaughters Margaret feared she would not live to see -- Rebecca Hilton, aged four, and five-year-old Stephanie.

Margaret, a former nurse, was first diagnosed with cancer in 1991, when she was 50. She had a tumour removed from her bowel, but cancer returned twice in 1996, resulting in the removal of her uterus.

Margaret ran the Race for Life for the first time last year at Manchester's Heaton Park in memory of a close friend who she lost to ovarian cancer.

She believes a positive attitude is a great help to recovery, and offers her help to others diagnosed with the disease.

She said: "I tell people they don't have to die with cancer, but they have to learn to live with it."

Doctors discovered that Margaret's family has a genetic flaw which has led to a history of deaths from cancer.

Her sister, Carolyn, who lives in Australia, is now fighting bowel cancer and Margaret may have passed the genetic cancer flaw to anyone of her five children.

She added: "We all take preventative measures now, including diet and exercise. We are advised for instance to eat plenty of cold mashed potatoes, bananas and corn on the cob, which are starchy and help prevent colon cancer."

Margaret believes the Race for Life, sponsored by Tesco, as well as being vital to cancer research, is a great experience.

"It's very important," she said. "I found it very moving last year. The camaraderie is wonderful and everyone is very supportive. Anyone who is recovering from cancer should perhaps go along. It will raise your spirits."

She added: "Raise some money, help each other and help hospitals like Christie and other clinics. Only research will save our children and grandchildren."

Chorley mum Claire Melling will be taking part in Wigan's Race for Life to say thanks for the life of her teenage son.

Anthony Melling, aged 15, was diagnosed with leukaemia in July last year, and was recently given the all clear following a life saving course of chemotherapy at Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool.

The youngster is now back at school and is working hard toward his GCSEs at Southland High School, Chorley.

Women can enter by calling the hot-line on 08705 134 314 or alternatively, log on to www.raceforlife.org.