A woman who battled through breast cancer has turned her diary into a book to help other patients cope.

Tina Jenkinson, 40, from Tadworth, has frankly written down her feelings, hospital visits and getting on with life after being diagnosed in 2010.

The final line of Don’t Let Me Cry, self-published in March, sums up its aim: “I hope this has helped show anyone who is struggling that there is light.”

Ms Jenkinson, from Hewers Way, had the first hint of breast cancer just a couple of months after her mother lost her fight with multiple sclerosis (MS).

She said: “Writing was therapy to start with because I struggled talking with people about what I was going through.

“It started off as a diary and I continued it afterwards.”

Ms Jenkinson later decided to turn her diary into a book in order to help anyone else diagnosed with cancer.

She said: “One of the problems I had is I never knew what to expect. I thought writing that might help others.

“It’s quite frank and to the point.”

The book, written in the first person, captures moments such as losing hair in the shower during chemotherapy and waiting in a gown for an operation.

At the same time it describes the impact of being ill and tired on the rest of her life as she goes on holiday and to birthday parties and music festivals.

Despite the distress Ms Jenkinson’s own sense of humour also shines through.

The book ends with a positive prognosis and her dream of working with animals coming true as she volunteers at International Primate Rescue in South Africa.

Last week she said: “I have definitely found a new passion. I have always wanted to do it but I don’t think I ever would have.

“Being ill made me wake up and see I definitely wanted to do something.”

Part of the profits from the book, which costs £12, will go to Breast Cancer Care.

Visit: www.memoirspublishing.com/Books%20Pages/tinajenkinson-do.html