A TRIPLE cancer survivor is stepping out to fund more research into the disease with a 10-hour non-stop salsa dancing challenge.

Oxford dance instructor Bea Prentiss, who has successfully battled breast cancer three times, will lead a team of 20 dancers in a salsa marathon in Oxford next month.

The dancers will spend five weeks in rigorous training for the non-stop circle dance, known as the Reuda (wheel).

It is a technical as well as physical challenge as the dancers must follow the changing steps and switch partners without stopping or they will break the circle and the challenge will fail.

Our top stories

They will only be allowed to stop for toilet breaks, with reserve dancers stepping in for a few minutes at a time.

Ms Prentiss, 65, of Cowley, was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 40 and fought the disease again two years ago.

She said: “The first time I was diagnosed with breast cancer was in 1988. I went to my GP as I’d heard if you have bleeding from nipples you should get checked out.

“The GP examined me and within three days I was seen at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

“They did a biopsy right away and diagnosed me with breast cancer that same day. I had a partial mastectomy the following Monday followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

“Research has now shown that this is not the best treatment and the cancer came back two years later. They decided to remove the whole breast at that point.”

The mum-of-two added: “There was then a period of over 20 years when I continued to have my mammograms and I was always clear.

“Then two years ago I decided to skip my mammogram until a student of mine who worked in the hospital tissue lab persuaded me to go. This time it was a little different. “They showed me the scan and I recognised the same pattern of fairy lights that I had seen on the other breast. This time I had a full mastectomy and a breast reconstruction at the same time. “My story is not uncommon. Thanks to research, we can catch and treat breast cancer earlier. If we can do the same for other types of cancers we are in a position to make a real difference and go a lot further in the fight against cancer.”

The freelance graphic designer is organising the event for Cancer Research UK’s Stand up to Cancer campaign.

Mrs Prentiss, who organised a smiliar salsa challenge five years ago for Alzheimers research charity Optima, said: “The wheel is a metaphor for hope.

“We must always keep the wheel turning and keep hope going. Hope never dies.”

The 10 dance couples will be drawn from the Salsa Society and Oxford University Dance Sports Club Ruedo Komrade at an audition tomorrow.

The marathon will take place at St Columbus Church, Alfred Street, Oxford, on Saturday, November 22, from 2pm until midnight.

For details and to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/rueda


  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.