WHEN Carol Wallis found out her breast cancer had returned for the sixth time in 28 years, she feared the worst.

But thanks to a pioneering new chemotherapy treatment, the 63-year-old grandmother-of-six is facing life with new hope.

Mrs Wallis, from Wantage, is among only a handful of people to have undergone electro-chemotherapy. It uses electrical pulses to stimulate cancer cells, making them porous and more receptive to cancer-killing drugs.

Just four weeks after having the treatment at The Royal Free Hospital, in London, the cancer nodules on her chest had disappeared.

Mrs Wallis was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1983 and after suffering a relapse in 1993, tests revealed she had a faulty BRCA1 gene, which is linked to hereditary breast cancer.

She was then diagnosed again in 1998, 2001, 2002, and earlier this year, and has undergone a double mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as taking anti-cancer drugs such as Tamoxifen.

She also had extensive reconstructive surgery earlier this year which took muscles and skin from her upper back to create a new breast.

When the cancer returned yet again this year, the retired dental nurse feared she had few treatment options left.

Mrs Wallis, who has two daughters, said: “It was really rather frightening. I just felt like I was running out of things to try.

“I really did not want to go through another round of chemotherapy because the side effects for me have been terrible.

“You put your whole body through chemotherapy over a course of months and all that time you just hope it attacks the right areas.”

Consultant oncological surgeon Mr Mo Keshtgar performed the procedure at the hospital, which has become a centre of excellence for the treatment.

He said: “Essentially, electrochemotherapy is a treatment which uses an old drug but with new tricks.

“The procedure only takes 30 minutes and it is often not necessary to stay in hospital afterwards, so there are clearly many benefits for patients.

“The success rate is very good. Studies show between 79 per cent and 85 per cent of patients benefit from the treatment.

“We’re thrilled to become a designated reference centre for patients who have experienced a recurrence and spread of breast cancer.

“We will accept referrals from all over the country so that as many patients as possible can benefit from this exciting new treatment.”

Mrs Wallis is now looking forward to her life free from cancer.

She said: “The procedure was fine and not too painful at all.

“Obviously, I am very pleased that I have responded to the treatment and it’s really quite amazing to see results so quickly.

“I never want to tempt fate but it has given me hope.

“My daughter Lisa has inherited the faulty BRCA1 gene and I’ve four granddaughters who may or may not have inherited it.

“I’m happy to try new treatments so that technological developments can continue and perhaps help them in years to come, as well as giving me more time to spend with them.”