A WOMAN who survived breast cancer has shared her tips for a healthy life on a charity DVD.

The DVD, launched on Monday by the Breast Cancer Care charity, shows Valerie Amos, of Woodstock Road, Walthamstow, eating well and exercising to maintain her health.

A healthy diet and regular exercise can increase energy levels and help to combat some long-term side effects of treatment such as weight gain and fatigue.

Mother of two Mrs Amos, 46, said: "I remember the fear I had when I was first diagnosed.

"Seeing that other people can overcome their own diagnosis and finding out about how they did that can help to reassure people that there is life after the disease."

She decided to turn her treatment for breast cancer into a positive opportunity to change her lifestyle, slow down and fight the impulse to be supermum.

"I realised that it is better to do as much as you feel able to and make time for things that you enjoy. Gardening is a real passion for me, and I've had an allotment for six years, which my neighbour looked after when I was too ill to tend to it during treatment.

"I returned to it when I felt physically able and it gave me valuable time and space as I was coming to terms with what had happened to me."

Breast Cancer Care created the DVD in direct response to calls its helpline received. People were uncertain and confused about what they could do to lead a healthier life.

Diet, fitness and medical experts also share their knowledge in the DVD.

Copies of Eating Well - Being Active can be ordered free www.breastcancercare.org.uk or by calling the charity's helpline on 0808 800 6000.

They are available with British Sign Language, English and Welsh subtitles, and voice-overs in Gujarati, Sylheti, Urdu, Arabic or Cantonese.