A MUM of two young children who has incurable cancer – and says she is fighting daily to "stay alive for my family" – is launching a support group.

Emily Chalk-McKay was diagnosed with breast cancer in August, 2015, and learned five months later that it had spread to her lungs.

Now the 39-year-old wants to provide help for others with metastatic cancer – any form of the disease that has spread beyond one part of the body.

Emily has attended a support group in Leeds, but says there is currently nothing similar in Keighley, the Aire Valley or Bradford.

"Getting to Leeds on public transport meant a five-hour round trip for me," said Emily, who lives at Denholme with her graphic-designer husband Terry and children Blake, eight, and Violet, five.

"The journey was just untenable due to my fatigue and joint pain – side effects of the cancer and the medication that's keeping me alive."

She is working with Cancer Support Yorkshire, Macmillan and an oncology nurse to set-up the new group, Mets Cafe.

The initial meeting will take place at Cancer Support Yorkshire, Daisy House Farm, 44 Smith Lane, Bradford, on Monday, November 5, between 2pm and 4pm.

"We aim to provide a safe space for anyone – men and women – with any type of metastatic cancer," said Emily.

"The first meeting is about setting-up the group and we would welcome anyone with metastatic cancer to come along and share their views.

"Also, we would love to hear from anybody with stage 4 cancer interested in attending the group once it's established."

The alarm bells first rang for Emily, who has a family history of cancer, when she suffered inverted nipples.

She went to see her GP, and was sent for screening at Airedale Hospital.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she underwent a double mastectomy and intensive chemotherapy.

But the treatment failed to prevent the spread of the disease.

"The national average for life expectancy after diagnosis of the secondary cancer is three years – which would take me to January next year," said Emily, a former probation service officer, who took medical retirement.

The determined mum is using her experience to raise awareness of metastatic cancer and to try to help bring about positive change.

She blogs regularly on her Facebook page, Dance Before The Storm Emily in Cancerland.

"One in three women with breast cancer will get metastatic cancer – the kind that is treatable not curable," said Emily.

"Most of these women will not have a specialist nurse and won't be aware of charitable organisations that can help them.

"I am a member of an online support group, YBCN, where every woman is under 40. Most have kids; most were in the prime of their lives, of their careers.

"Most weeks another woman dies, and yet no statics are recorded.

"I attended a conference organised by Breast Cancer Care where I got the opportunity to meet some of these women."

She added: "I am dying for a cure, we are dying for a cure.

"Most of the money raised from 'pink parties' does not reach metastatic breast cancer patients.

"I want to band together with like-minded people for change and support.

"Every day I fight to stay alive for my family.

"Cancer has made me stronger, braver and highly focused on instigating positive change."

Emily hopes that Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, this Saturday (Oct 13), will encourage others to come forward and attend the new group.

People can simply turn-up at the initial meeting, or for more details, contact Amanda Procter on amanda.procter@bthft.nhs.uk, 01274 272519 or 07415 301709, or e-mail Emily.metscafe1@gmail.com.