Great-grandmother Joyce Gascoigne sent out a message of hope to breat cancer sufferers last night, saying: "If I can beat it, so can you."

Mrs Gascoigne, 84, can count her blessings after beating the odds and conquering breast cancer.

One in 11 women over the age of 80 will develop breast cancer — making them the most at-risk age group. And sufferers aged 70-99 have the lowest rate of survival.

The widow, a former auxiliary nurse from Middleton Cheney, was in bed in June, when she felt something "not quite right" in her breast.

Later that day she told her daughter and they made a doctor's appointment — a meeting that saved her life.

She said: "I saw my GP straight away and he sent me to the breast clinic.

"I expected just to go along for a chat, but I had a needle biopsy and a mammogram and then sat down with the specialist who smiled gently and told me I had cancer.

"My first thoughts were ‘Oh well, I'm 84 and I've had a good life, so be it’. I knew the odds weren't the best.

"If I could get any message out there to other women, whether they are 18 or in their 80s, it is to act on your concerns — don't leave it too late. I am proof you can overcome breast cancer at any age, but having time on your side makes all the difference."

Seventy per cent of 70- to 99-year-olds survive for five years compared to 88 per cent of 50- to 69-year-olds. Only 60 per cent survive for 10 years.

She added: "I think both me and my daughter thought I was on my way to my coffin, but I had caught the cancer early and the doctor was optimistic."

Because of her age, it was recommended Mrs Gascoigne undergo an immediate lumpectomy — surgical removal of the cancerous lump.

Mrs Gascoigne's treatment was successful.

More than half of breast cancer deaths are women aged over 70 and many of these women die due to late diagnosis.

She said: "I suppose I am proof that where there is life there is hope.

"I firmly believe I am alive thanks to the excellent treatment at Banbury’s Horton Hospital and because I didn't leave my condition unchecked."

She must now take the anti-cancer drug Tamoxifen for five years, and she views every new day as a blessing.

Cancer Research UK spokesman Helen Johnstone said: "Joyce did exactly the right thing. Finding breast cancer early offers the best chance of successful treatment."