TO MARK this month's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, copies of a "wonderfully inspiring" journal about women's experiences of the disease are being given away by CancerCare.

The Knocker Jotter has raised more than £10,000 for the charity since it was launched two years ago. Described as a "no-holds-barred" account, the volume features "empowering" stories and photographs charting the realities for women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

The women in the book originally met through the charity’s Phoenix Facebook Cancer Support Group and forged a fantastic bond of friendship with each other.

All of them had, or were going through, the breast cancer “journey” and they came up with the idea to share their personal stories, as a way of providing inspiration to women going through similar experiences.

Recently, sales of the jotter have passed the £10,000 mark, helping the charity provide free professional therapy and support to people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, and their families.

Karen Hine, from Halton near Lancaster, is one of the ladies featured in the jotter.

"When I first heard about the Knocker Jotter I knew I wanted to be part of it," she said.

"The day of the photo shoot was one filled with tears and laughter as we shared our stories about our cancer journey.

“There was a lot of warmth and encouragement for each lady when it was their turn to have their photo taken. For me, being part of the Knocker Jotter was a turning point in my life - it was the day I started to live again."

CancerCare chief executive Maria Chambers said: “The Knocker Jotter is a wonderfully inspiring book which shows women that, whatever they are going through, other have also faced it and their stories are both honest and empowering.”

To pick up a free copy, visit CancerCare's Lakes Centre in Kendal; Slynedales Centre in Lancaster; or Trinity Church Centre in Barrow-in-Furness.

For more about the Phoenix Facebook Cancer Group, call CancerCare on 01524-381820 or email alison.dixey@cancercare.org.uk