A BREAST cancer survivor has praised the charity which helped her recover her confidence as she fought against the disease.

Nurse Helen McIntyre, of Kiln Pit Hill, near Consett, was diagnosed with cancer in July 2013 and started a course of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.

The treatment, which affects some people with only partial hair loss or thinning, caused the mum-of-one to lose all her body hair and was a big blow to her self-esteem during a difficult time.

Having successfully come through her treatment, her hair has now grown back fully and she has spoken of the help given to her by the charity mynewhair.

The 50-year-old said: “I have worked as a nurse in palliative care for 25 years and cared for adults and children suffering from cancer but I just never thought it would happen to me.

“You’d have thought my background would have prepared me for what was to come, but it didn’t.

“When I lost all my hair as well as undergoing such tough treatment, it was a real setback and I totally lost my confidence.”

Mynewhair, a national charity founded by hairdresser Trevor Sorbie, offers a wig-styling service for people suffering from cancer and medical hair loss.

Helen said: “Before my treatment started I went to see a hairdresser who trains mynewhair stylists at the Tribeca Salon in East Boldon.

“He was fantastic and suggested several wigs to match my hair, as I really wanted the wig to be identical to the hair I currently had.

“The wig fitted perfectly.

“As much as I liked how it looked, it took me a while to adjust.”

Founder of mynewhair, Trevor Sorbie, said: “I’m very passionate about mynewhair and it’s my aim to highlight what the service can offer and make it as accessible to people as possible through the wide range of salons, out-of-hours appointments, and home visit services we offer throughout the North-East and on a national level.”

For more information visit visit www.mynewhair.org or via Twitter @mynewhairorg.