A BREAST cancer survivor from Alveston has released a book for charity with stories from people who suffered with the disease.

The aptly titled “25 years, 25 stories”, composed by former police officer Liz King, 48, contains the experiences of 25 people, men and women between the ages of 27 and 83, across Bristol and South Gloucestershire who have battled breast cancer.

Released to celebrate the 25th year of Southmead Hospital-based charity BUST, the book aims to raise awareness of those suffering with the disease, and raise money for the charity.

Liz became involved with BUST after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, and, following treatment at the Bristol Breast Care Centre, helped out with a number of fundraising activities before having the idea for the book.

She said: “When I was first diagnosed, I was one of those people who wanted as much information as I could get my hands on, as soon as possible.

“The leaflets which offer advice are ok, but it wasn’t the same as talking to someone who knew what you were going through.

“That is when I had the idea for the book. I thought it would be good to try and get people talking about their own experiences, and have 25 stories in recognition of BUST’s 25th year.”

Each contributor narrates their experiences through their eyes, with each story being illustrated by pictures, including portrait shots by Bristol-based photographer Joseph Meredith.

Among the stories is that of Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire, who was diagnosed shortly after being elected, as well as two men who contracted breast cancer and the wife of a further male sufferer who sadly passed away.

Liz said: “Throughout the making of this book, I tried to ensure it was positive and uplifting.

“But with everyone’s story being so different, the message really is that while we aren’t “perfect” anymore, we are still here to tell the story.

“Each person wrote their own contribution and I proof read. Having looked back through them all, it is quite an emotional read.

“It was important we included the fact that men can suffer from breast cancer in the book as it is something not many people know. While over 58,000 women are diagnosed in the UK each year, a further 370 are men.”

One of the voices in the book is that of Thornbury resident Karen Gingell, 34, who talks about her two fights with the disease coinciding with being pregnant with her two sons George and Henry.

She said: “Writing my story down was almost like a counselling session. Very surreal.

“I regularly found myself stopping to really ask myself about how I felt of each situation I found myself in.”

Jenny Wookey of BUST praised the book, describing it as "a fitting tribute to the patients of the Bristol Breast Care Centre, past and present."

25 Years, 25 Stores, can be bought from the Breast Care Centre in Southmead Hospital’s Brunel Building, or online by emailing 25years25stories@gmail.com, for a suggested minimum donation of £5 which will be donated entirely to BUST.