A NORTH-EAST woman suffering from a rare condition which makes her unusually prone to cancer is searching for a surgeon prepared to remove her breasts, even though at present they are thought to be healthy.

Susan Marrison was diagnosed with the hereditary Cowden's syndrome six years ago, a condition which leaves her with a one-in-three chance of developing breast cancer.

Although Mrs Marrison has found lumps in her breast and says she is desperate for a double mastectomy operation to eliminate the risk, she has had a fruitless two-year search for a surgeon to carry out the operation.

Mrs Marrison and her family, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, fear they may have to look abroad for a surgeon to perform the operation.

"In the summer of 1998, I was advised to go for a double mastectomy operation as a precautionary measure because I am at an increased risk of getting breast cancer," she said.

Mrs Marrison, 35, who has suffered a benign brain tumour, is distraught about the uncertainty of her situation.

"It's not just me who is getting wound up by this, it's my husband and two kids as well," she said.

"I just want the operation to get this out of the way and have my own peace of mind that I don't have breast cancer."

Mr Marrison added: "We could look abroad, but you have got to have the money to do those sorts of things, and we just don't.

"It's the uncertainty of it we just can't handle - because what if it is cancer?"

The family was able to send 16-year-old Thomas, who also suffers from Cowden's syndrome, to the Great Ormond Street Hospital two years ago after The Northern Echo highlighted his case.

A series of fundraising events to allow the youngster to go to London for major operations were held in his then home town of Darlington