By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 14:32, Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Two years ago popular radio presenter Val Armstrong was forced to leave the county’s airwaves after being diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time.

Val Armstrong

But she was always determined she would be back once her health allowed.

Now, following a long battle, the Radio Cumbria star is finally back at work – and has already made her first guest appearance on air.

After such a long absence, Val is embarking on a phased return over five months, so won’t be presenting her own show for a while yet.

But she is delighted to be back at the BBC, and couldn’t resist the urge to put on the headphones and say a quick hello to her supporters.

Val, last year’s Cumbria Woman of the Year, said: “I have been back on air already, just guesting on Kevin Fernihough’s show as part of a feature to promote the woman of the year awards. But I stayed on for over an hour.

“It was great to be back.”

The 47-year-old, who lives in Carlisle, first battled breast cancer in 2006. She was off work for nine months but returned to the airwaves her ever positive self. However, it came back in 2010, leaving her needing a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.

“I worked my last shift on August 1, 2010. I had been told that I needed chemotherapy so was just preparing myself for that,” said Val, who has been at the BBC since the 1980s.

“Two years is a long time. There were high points and low points.

“You face many challenges – mental, physical, emotional and financial.

“But I’ve always loved my job so coming back was a big goal for me. When I walked back in I was so excited – like the first day at school.”

Val admits that she would sometimes get envious when she was at home, listening to her colleagues on outside broadcasts. But she said at the time she knew she was not fit enough and just had to focus on getting better again.

So when the time finally came she couldn’t wait to snatch the mic and get back on air, even briefly. But she said the real celebration will come when she gets her own show again.

"The idea is that I will eventually go back to weekends.

“I need to complete the circle. That’s what I was doing when the cancer entered my life again. That’s where I need to get back to in order to move on to the next stage – to close the circle. Once I get back on the air I will be able to say ‘you’ve not got me this time’.”

Although she has been away from the station for two years, Val’s honest and open approach to her cancer has meant she has continued to make occasional appearances.

She also thanked her colleagues for their support.

Despite everything sheshe still feels lucky – because her cancer has twice been caught early.

Val, now co-chair of the Carlisle Breast Care Support Group, is urging other women to ensure they know the signs of breast cancer and attend screening appointments – something she believes saved her life.

First published at 11:27, Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk