A Queenborough woman fighting cancer says she cannot thank her hairdresser enough for making her feel human again.

Claire Johnson was given the devastating news she had stage three breast cancer in October and subsequent chemotherapy has caused much of her hair to fall out.

The 44-year-old, who went to her doctor after finding a lump while washing, has undergone surgery to remove the lump and surrounding lymph nodes.

She began chemo last month.

Miss Johnson said: “I started losing my hair straight away. I couldn’t believe it.

“I tried to save it for as long as I could. I kept it up for about a week and then decided to go to the hairdressers.”

The mother-of-one went to Hers and Sirs in Sheerness at the end of March to see if her hairdresser Elaine Price could do anything.

“Elaine was straightening my hair, but it just came away,” Miss Johnson said.

“I sobbed my heart out.

“Elaine was so supportive and said she knew a place in Chatham called Rimzi Hair and Beauty where I could get a wig.

“She came with me to find one. She then fitted it, cut it and styled it for me. I’m so happy with it and I feel like me again.

“I can’t say thank you enough.”

She added: “It’s absolutely devastating for anyone to lose their hair."

Miss Johnson, who is still undergoing treatment, says the support she’s had from Medway Maritime Hospital, her family and boyfriend Mark had been absolutely amazing.

She warned people to check their breasts regularly.

“It’s not about being vain, it’s a confidence thing. Without a wig, I wouldn’t be able to leave the house, but there are places like Hers and Sirs that can make you feel human again.”

“I never thought for one minute the lump was going to be cancer.

“I thought it was a cyst and, within two weeks of seeing my doctor, it went from the size of a marble to the size of a golf ball.

“I just want women and men to check themselves, no matter how old they are.

“People shouldn’t be frightened because there is help out there.

“You’ve just got to keep a positive mind and not let cancer win.”