A NEW film charting the lives of women living with incurable breast cancer features an Oxfordshire woman first diagnosed with the disease more than 20 years ago.

Dr Ann Fingret, 74, from Swinbrook, near Burford, said she hoped the DVD would give support and advice to women with secondary breast cancer - an advanced form of the disease that cannot be cured, only controlled.

Take Each Day - Living with Secondary Breast Cancer was commissioned by UK charity Breast Cancer Care and follows the lives of four women.

Dr Fingret said that through a series of intimate interviews the documentary-style film showed how women with the disease coped with the day-to-day reality of living and its impact on family and friends.

"Obviously, it's very shocking for someone to be told they have an incurable disease," she said. "It's terrible news.

"The film is meant to be encouraging to women because it shows that there are others in the same situation."

Take Each Day is showing on the Community Channel regularly throughout the year, although people can also obtain copies free-of-charge from Breast Cancer Care.

Dr Fingret said: "It was nice because the people who filmed the documentary were fantastic, really understanding. In some ways it could be a bit more hard-hitting, but it addresses all the things you have to think about like how you prepare if you have children.

"I hope it will be a support to anyone with the disease."

Liz Reed, a researcher at Breast Cancer Care, is one of three medical experts who feature in the film.

She said: "It will be of great interest to people as it means they can connect with others in a similar situation."

Dr Fingret was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986. She had a lumpectomy and radiotheraphy. Further cancer was discovered and treated in 1994 with a mastectomy and chemotheraphy.

In 1999 she developed secondary breast cancer in her lungs and her doctor gave her two years to live. She has since undergone surgery and is taking the cancer drug Arimidex.

Dr Fingret, a grandmother of four, is also part of Breast Cancer Care's Secondary Taskforce, a national coalition of experts and sufferers campaigning for more support for people diagnosed with the condition.

To to get hold of a copy of the DVD call Breast Cancer Care on 0808 800 6000.

To watch a trailer of the DVD visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk/takeeachday