One of the first UK patients to undergo an experimental form of cancer treatment is celebrating being free of the disease for five years.

Jenny Collins, 62, of Worth near Deal, will mark the milestone by raising money for other victims by taking part in the world’s largest annual fundraising swim, Swimathon 2022.

Ms Collins had been treated by keyhole surgery to remove a tumour in her kidney after she was diagnosed in 2017.

She hadn’t suffered any obvious symptoms and then being in her late 50s, she blamed backache and generally feeling worn out on menopause.

It was only when she suffered a deep vein thrombosis in her leg that her GP sent her for tests, which confirmed it had been caused by a tumour in one of her kidneys.

Ms Collins said: "Tests indicated it was a mature tumour and measured 7cm, which was about half the size of the kidney itself. It was blocking up one of the main arteries to my kidney.”

A urologist at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital referred Ms Collins to a specialist at London’s St Thomas' Hospital who asked her to agree to experimental robotic surgery.

'Five years on I am still cancer free....'

Ms Collins said: “Fortunately the tumour was operable and part of my kidney was removed by keyhole surgery. I was lucky. That was nearly five years ago and I am still cancer free.”

She still has annual check-ups and although her kidney function is still below average, she say that makes little difference to her life.

Ms Collins has now signed up to Swimathon 2022 to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie and urges others to do the same.

It takes place from May 6 to 8 at pools and venues across Kent and the UK.

There is a variety of distances available, from 400 metres up to 30.9 kilometres, so this is for people of all ages and levels of experience.

People can participate individually or as part of a team. Swimmers who can’t make one of the organised sessions can sign up to MySwimathon, which takes place from April 29 to May 15, and choose a time and venue that suits them.

Ms Collins aims to cover 2,500m at her local pool.

She said: “I try and swim every day, in the summer in the sea and in the winter a pool.

“I know many people who have survived cancer. A friend of over 50 years from schooldays has just been given the all clear from cervical cancer. But two years ago I lost another old friend to lung cancer.”

Swimathon has raised more than £55 million since it began in 1986.

Its president is Duncan Goodhew, who won gold and bronze medals in the 1980 summer Olympic Games and it is supported by sporting heroes such as Mark Foster.

He was a multi-gold medal winner in swimming in world, European and Commonwealth championships in the 1990s and 2000s.

Ms Collins is originally from West Yorkshire and moved south when she married Kent man Barry Gooding. She has one son, Vincent, 24.

To sign up to Swimathon 2022 go to the website swimathon.org