AN ACTOR, director and teacher from the Borders was in good company when she was diagnosed with cancer in October last year.

Celebrities such as Kylie Minogue and Morrissey have talked about their brush with the disease, discussing how it made them reassess their values and their lives.

And now Kathleen Mansfield, from Peebles, has chosen to share her thoughts with the public.

The teacher at Galashiels Academy took to writing every day and allowed herself the leisure to explore her regrets and hopes and joys in life.

She has published a book, entitled Tumour Rumour, and will donate the profits to Maggie’s Centre at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

Kathleen told the Border Telegraph her aim was originally to simply write for the pleasure it brought her and to give a focus to every day whilst waiting for the next treatment.

“Writing has always been something I’ve enjoyed but life is so busy there is no time to indulge our own, unproductive, whims,” she said.

“This was my opportunity. I may have matched the Bible or at least War and Peace in word count, so I picked out a small selection and put it in a book. I needed the whole process to have a tangible good outcome, not just for me, but generally. So, I am delighted to offer the profits from Tumour Rumour to Maggie’s where I was treated so kindly and so helpfully. My friend, Carola Botcher, read the draft and noted that it was surprising but then, also wholly predictable. She was pleased to produce my cover.” Kathleen tells us she is nervous about exposing her thoughts and feelings so openly, but is also convinced that she shares with most people the common humanity of living with regrets, fears and longing.

“I hope that the book will support other cancer patients and their families,” she said. “I also hope it will encourage those who enjoy writing to take the plunge and write as a means of fighting off depression and despondency. It is important to find something which sparks your interest and distracts you from surgery, radiotherapy and other treatments. Otherwise, the process can be overwhelming, particularly if there are hiccups along the way.” There are now 17 Maggie’s Centres providing support and nurturing for cancer patients, their family and friends. It is a free service and depends on charitable support. Tumour Rumour is available from the Maggie’s centre in Edinburgh, Whitie’s bookshop in Peebles, the Crystal Shop, Peebles High Street or direct from Kathleen.