Show a healthy interest and name your NHS hero

Every year 44,000 women develop breast cancer and many more require continuing treatment for the illness.

When faced with the devastating diagnosis, or dealing with continuing worries about the condition and its emotional and physical impact, the reassuring presence of specialist breast care nurse Ann makes a real difference.

Ann, who works at Rotherham Hospital, offers vital support to patients at their times of greatest need right from their traumatic diagnosis.

But she is much more than just a contact in hospital and takes a personal interest in all her patients, providing support at all times, whether she is at work or not.

It was this dedication which led to her nomination and shortlisting two years ago as a finalist in the region's NHS Hero awards.

Now the search is on for the Yorkshire Post NHS Health and Social Care Hero of the Year for 2010.

Ann has held her position for nine years. She and her two colleagues see around 250 new patients each year and help many more patients previously diagnosed with breast cancer, which accounts for almost one in three of all cancer cases in women and is the most common of all cancers.

They are the first port of call for patients when they need any help with their condition. But they also carry out visits to people at home, offering both practical and emotional support.

She said: "We are with them through their surgery and other treatment and support them through that but we never discharge patients – we are with them forever really, right from the beginning.

"We do build up a real rapport with our ladies and if they do have further problems in future that's when it becomes most difficult."

When Ann first entered the nursing profession, services for patients with breast cancer were not anywhere near as advanced as those today. She worked with people undergoing surgery for breast and bowel cancers and her interest was sparked into offering further help.

Her nomination as an NHS Hero helped raise awareness among patients about the importance of screening for potential breast problems.

"I love the job and wouldn't do anything else," she added.

"When I first started in nursing this support wasn't there and now we have this service it is so important for patients."

The Yorkshire Post NHS Health and Social Care Hero of the Year Award 2010 will highlight and celebrate the work of heroes in the NHS and social services.

It could be a doctor or nurse, or perhaps a volunteer, charity or social worker who provides outstanding services or a colleague who is an inspiration for others.

Anyone who would like to make a nomination can go to www.yorkshirepostnhshero.co.uk or send it in writing to the Yorkshire Post. The deadline for making nominations is August 3.

A panel of judges will draw up a shortlist of five finalists who will be featured in the Yorkshire Post between September 27 and October 1.

The public will then be able to cast their vote for the winning hero from October 2-6 before the winner is announced.