Emma was just 27 years old when she discovered she had breast cancer. The initial shock of her diagnosis led her to believe that she would loose her hair, her fiance and ultimately her life... but in time she came to realise only the latter was true and even that's grown back, here she tells her moving and inspiring story.

'I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2005 at the age of 27, and now, aged 29, I have secondary breast cancer in my spine. However, far from being down about things, I am positive about the future and have just set up a new home with my husband, David. At the moment I feel great and long may that last!

'Prior to the diagnosis my life could not have looked much better. I had just graduated from Exeter University having completed a part time MA, had been promoted at work, plus I was recently engaged - something I really hadn't been expecting!

'I found the lump whilst using my mobile phone; where my elbow rested on the side of my breast I could feel it there. Even after I found it I never imagined it would be anything serious, so when the doctor told me I had breast cancer, the diagnosis hit me hard. I just couldn't get my head around the fact that I was seriously ill - I didn't feel unwell, and had never suffered any serious illness in the past.

'Thank goodness things moved swiftly for me and my doctor referred me to the Royal Marsden in Sutton immediately. I attended the rapid diagnostic unit and on that same day, following a mammogram, a biopsy and an ultrascan, the tests confirmed I had breast cancer.

'Within two weeks of my diagnosis I started chemotherapy with the aim of shrinking the tumour and targeting any loose cells in my body and it worked - the tumour shrank from 3x4cm to just 8mm. So I had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes taken out, plus radiotherapy, tamoxifen and (after a big fight) Herceptin.

'Prior to my treatment starting, I also began Zoladex injections to reduce the hormones in my body and give the cancer less to feed off.

'As the cancer is back in my spine I am continuing with Herceptin. I am also now taking advantage of one of the Aromatose Inhibitors and I have Bisphosphinate to build my bones up. I support all this treatment by eating extremely well and making sure I have plenty of relaxation and pampering time. At the moment all seems to be just fine.

'Sadly my situation is not unique, but I hope it illustrates what it's like to have been diagnosed at a young age. In some ways I feel I have lost my innocence having to think about immortality and such like at a relatively young age. But mostly, I get more out of life now. I wake up each day noticing how beautiful the world is and how lucky I am with my lot in life. I decide every morning what I will do to make a difference that day and fill my life with things that have meaning to me and make me and those important to me happy.

'Receiving new treatments has enabled me to carry on with life; to get married, to continue my career, to holiday, to continue to plan the future. Thanks to medical advances and the tremendous support from the hospital, my doctor, family, friends, I am living with this and my life is brilliant. They brought me the hope I needed at a time when there was little else to cling on to.

'I am a living example that the worst thing you can imagine can happen and you can be ok.'

Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2007. Throw a 'Wear It Pink' fundraiser and raise funds and awareness for a great cause

Breast Cancer Campaign is the UK's only breast cancer charity dedicated to funding research into the disease to improve diagnosis and treatment, understanding how breast cancer develops and ultimately either curing the disease or preventing it.