FRIENDSHIP can prove important in times of distress, as Tracey Massey discovered when two of her friends responded to news that she had breast cancer by entering the London Marathon.

WHEN Tracey Massey discovered she had breast cancer the news left her reeling.

She underwent drastic surgery and had a mastectomy.

But then, two years later, came the devastating news that she could be facing cancer in her remaining breast if she didn't have that removed too.

There was no soul-searching needed as 43-year-old Tracey did not want to face the ordeal of yearly mammograms and the constant fear the disease could return.

"I didn't feel sentimental about my breast. I just knew I would have to do something about it to ensure I didn't get breast cancer again," said Tracey, who lives in Mossfield Road, Kearsley.

Tracey feels the fact she had a reconstruction done at the same time as the mastectomy helped her and it is a process she will undergo again this time.

Waking up with two breasts was, said Tracey, psychologically, a help in dealing with what she had been through.

Experts say the psychological benefits of being offered the option of immediate reconstruction should not be underestimated.

The Royal College of Surgeons is expected next week to reveal that although there has been a significant increase in breast cancer surgery over the past 10 years, there has not been a corresponding increase in reconstructions.

Women who have immediate reconstruction are thought to maintain high self-esteem compared with women who have had the reconstruction separately or not at all.

It worked for Tracey and she is delighted with the results of her first surgery and is hopeful the second operation will be equally successful.

"I am so pleased with the results and I am hopeful the second breast will look just as good," she said.

Although she talks matter-of-factly about her brush with cancer, Tracey is, understandably, concerned about having to have more major surgery.

The operation will last longer than the first - and that was eight hours - and Tracey is worried about being under anaesthetic for so long.

"I am just trying to get myself as fit as I can before I have my operation," said Tracey, who tries to walk several miles a week.

But while Tracey is walking her way to fitness, two of her friends have vowed to do their bit in recognition of her bravery.

Jane Lloyd, aged 41, who lives in Alexandra Road, Stoneclough, and 43-year-old Chris Wise of Trafford Street, Farnworth, have been training hard and will run the London Marathon in April. Half of the sponsorship money they raise will benefit Breast Cancer Care - a charity close to Tracey's heart.

"When I heard they were doing this for me I was choked. I felt very emotional and I had a tear in my eye," said Tracey, whose 19-year-old daughter, Holly, who is training to be a dental nurse.

Tracey, who works as a consulting suite nurse at The Beaumont Hospital in Bolton, was delighted with the results of her first reconstruction surgery.

Muscle was taken from her back to form the new breast and although she had a painful recovery she believes it was worth it.

When the second breast is removed - hopefully in April or May, although Tracey doesn't have an operation date yet - she will undergo reconstructive surgery again.

Her consultant, Mr Gary Boland, who performed the first reconstruction, will operate on Tracey at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital.

The recovery time is expected to be between two and three months and muscle will be taken from Tracey's abdomen for this reconstruction, which will be replaced by mesh to ensure Tracey's tummy retains its shape. "Although it will be nice and flat," she laughed.

Laughter has not been a big part of Tracey's life since learning she would have to undergo a further mastectomy but she's determined it will be in the future. "That's why I'm having this operation, so I can get on with my life," she said.

Tracey is known for her sense of fun. Just before her last operation, in 2005, she joined two friends to serve tea at Kearsley Cricket Club topless to raise money for cancer charities and raise awareness of the disease.

She has been supported by her partner, 43-year-old Simon Smith - who is a tower of strength, said Tracey - her parents Marie and Harold, and her many friends.

"I wouldn't have got through it without my family and friends. I am very grateful to them and I know I am going to need them this time," said Tracey.

It seems unfair that Tracey has been forced to deal with the prospect of facing cancer again and being left with no real option but to have surgery. But Tracey tries not to dwell on the negative side of what she's going through.

"I try to be positive. I'm not usually a negative person but having cancer is a difficult thing to deal with."

Since her first operation Tracey finds she gets tired easily.

Although she loves her job, she says it doesn't help as she can deal with very emotional cases and it can be physically, as well as emotionally, draining.

"But you just have to get on with it," she said.

Bury Cancer Support Centre was a huge help to Tracey when she was first diagnosed and she was able to go to the centre and enjoy relaxation therapies, along with her mum who was her carer.

She also received support from the Breast Cancer Care charity, which offers cancer sufferers "healthy living days" - where they can get advice on healthy eating - and has weekend breaks for people in their early 40s.

"It is a chance to be pampered and meet up with other people who have the same problems as you do," said Tracey.

Both Jane, who works at Asda, Burnden Park, and Chris, an aircraft electrician at BAE Systems in Samlesbury, are delighted to be able to do something to recognise their friend.

The other half of the money they raise will benefit the 4th Farnworth Scout Group, where Chris is assistant scout leader.

An arson attack last year at the scout hut left the group needing more funds.

Although Chris has run several marathons before, Jane has only run one. She is a member of the women's only running club, Stoneclough Striders, but knows the marathon is a big ask.

"I haven't done anything like this since I ran a marathon when I was much younger. I know it's going to be a difficult one for me but I am determined," said Jane.

"We wanted to do this for Tracey," added Chris.