CANCER has stolen a year of her life - and left her with the fear she might never have children.

But brave Yvette Hutcheson is determined to leave the disease behind and will complete Race for Life just FOUR days after completing her treatment.

The 29-year-old will be at the starting line with the people who have supported her through: her mum, two sisters, friends and even cuddly Lhasa Apso dog Scout.

And her supportive dad and boyfriend will be cheering the group on.

Yvette said: “Cancer has stolen almost a year of my life from me.

“It was a major shock when I was told I had cancer as I was still so young with no family history of the disease. But I refuse to let cancer take anything else from me.

"I’m through it thanks to the positive people who have been there for me every step of the way. Race for Life will be an amazing, emotional day with so many other women who know what it’s like to fight through cancer.

"It’s a way to celebrate coming to the end of this,to celebrate getting my life back and to thank the people who have helped me get there.

"I want to dance my way all along the 5K route because I can.

"I feel so proud to be part of a powerful, passionate pink army of women at the frontline in the fight against cancer.”

But Yvette, who will have her final radiotherapy treatment at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre on May 18, recalls vividly her fear last summer when diagnosed with breast cancer.

She visited her GP after discovering a lump in her right breast and was referred to the New Victoria Hospital for tests.

Her dad, Bernard Bradley, 50, was with her on July 24, 2015 when, after a biopsy and ultra sound, doctors explained it was likely she had cancer.

Yvette, from Darnley, said: “I remember looking at my dad and we were both just stunned.

“The doctors explained I’d have to wait a week before the biopsies could 100 per cent confirm I had cancer but they thought it was.

"I don’t even remember leaving the hospital that day. We got to the car and were in bits. It took us 10 minutes to gather ourselves together before we could even drive home.

"My dad was brilliant though. We’ve always been close. Dad often says that cuddles are free so I can have as many of them as I want. I definitely needed a cuddle that day.”

A week later, tests confirmed that Yvette had HER2 positive breast cancer and there was a risk the treatment could leave her infertile.

Yvette, who is keen to have children, went through a cycle of IVF in August before starting cancer treatment.

A total of seven eggs were frozen, eggs Yvette now describes as her “magnificent seven.”

Yvette’s long hair fell out almost immediately after she started six lots of chemotherapy, which lasted until Christmas.

But her boyfriend, Scott Macanna, 30, proved a rock through it all and her best friend even whisked her off on a four-day surprise holiday.

On March 2 this year at the New Victoria Hospital, Yvette had surgery to have the breast lump and 13 lymph nodes under her arm removed.

Tests showed chemotherapy had worked as the cancer had shrunk from five-and-a-half cms to one-and-a-half cms, with only dead cells left in the tumour.

A total of 20 sessions of radiotherapy this spring completes Yvette’s treatment and she has been prescribed the breast cancer drug Herceptin for the next few years.

Cancer Research UK scientists helped establish the link between some cancer and ‘growth factor receptor’ proteins on the surface of cells - a crucial early step in the development of Herceptin.

Cancer Research UK also funded the clinical trials unit where the research showing that Herceptin can improve survival for people with a certain type of breast cancer was completed.

And Yvette is already looking to the future with plans to train as a primary teacher.

She said: “To anyone going through cancer right now I’d say keep your chin up and never lose heart.

“Everyone’s journey is different but I think it’s helped me to have a positive mental attitude.

"I’m urging the brave ladies of Scotland to take action right now - please sign up to Race for Life and help fund vital research which will help more people beat this devastating disease.”

Yvette will complete the course with mum Jacqueline Hutcheson, 52, two sisters Gemma Bradley, 22, Siobhan Bradley, 21, and friends including best friend Dawn Gillespie, 29, at Glasgow Green on May 22.

She is asking other mums, daughters, aunties, sisters and friends to follow their lead, form their own mini regiments and swell the ranks of Cancer Research UK's Race for Life by signing up at www.raceforlife.org or calling 0300 123 0770.

Last year, around 10,118 people took part in Race for Life Glasgow and raised more than £550,760, a key part of £2.3 million raised by Race for Life events across Scotland.

To donate to Yvette's fundraising efforts see www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Yvette-Hutcheson?