A MUM-of-three from Cartmel says photography and exploring the Lakeland landscape have helped her cope with the after-effects of cancer.

Sally-Ann Mayne, 54, volunteers as a receptionist at CancerCare’s Lakes Centre in Kendal.

She has dealt with several incidences of cancer and yet remains hugely positive.

"My attitude has always been that I’m not going to let cancer stop me doing anything," said Sally-Ann.

"I just think there must be a way. I used to think I couldn’t walk up the fells but then I found a different way. My ethos is to take the can out of can’t.”

Sally-Ann was first diagnosed with breast cancer 16 years ago and underwent a double mastectomy. The following year she had a hysterectomy and reconstructive surgery and suffered a collapsed lung, which left her with a respiratory condition.

Not long after, Sally-Ann needed two major operations on her ankles, and in 2005 she faced the blow of breast cancer returning in her lymph node scar tissue.

She moved back to South Lakeland in 2006 after getting divorced and was looking forward to a fresh start, but the next year - in severe pain with her back - a scan revealed a shadow on her spine.

Her spine was crumbling and the nerves in her legs were affected, making it hard for her to walk. Sally-Ann had to have surgery to reconstruct her spine from her bra line to her coccyx, and she now has a titanium ‘spine’ that she says is “like a metal corset”.

A hip replacement operation followed in 2014, yet throughout all these gruelling times Sally-Ann continued to be a devoted mum to her children, making sure they got into college and supporting them in their daily lives. “The kids are what kept me going. They are my world," she said.

Undaunted by her mobility problems, Sally-Ann has managed to make it up a Lake District fell with the help of all-terrain wheelchair charity Freedom Wizard. "I went up Latrigg Fell – my first Wainwright. It was so emotional. I was so delighted I’d done it."

The 54-year-old is also using her hobby of boudoir photography to help other women who have health and confidence issues. "I’m proud of my scars because I have beaten the cancer," she said. "I try to help other people who have been through mastectomy and reconstruction. Boudoir photography can be a great way of boosting self-esteem.”

Sally-Ann added: "Throughout all my treatment and problems I have always kept an end goal in sight. That has really helped me. I would say to people, don’t let obstacles stop you doing anything. It’s more exhausting being miserable.

"I hope my story will give people confidence and strength to enjoy life.”

For more about CancerCare’s free support, call 01539-735800, email tct@cancercare.org.uk or see www.cancercare.org.uk