A breast cancer survivor from Bexleyheath has told News Shopper how she has used an app to cope with the aftermath of the illness after feeling “abandoned” when her treatment ended.

Betty Hart, 69. was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in February 2010. She underwent 17 months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a mastectomy.

“I had the added problem that after my diagnosis, my father had a stroke. I had to deal with that as well as my own treatment,” she told News Shopper.

During invasive treatment for the cancer, which spread to her lymph nodes, Betty praised her husband, Colin, for being her “rock.”

She also credited her “amazing friends” for their support.

“When I told them about my diagnosis, there were some tears but they said to me ‘If anyone’s going to do this, it will be you’,” Betty said.

Although still on medication, Betty is now in remission and cancer-free. However, she described feeling “utterly abandoned” after being told her treatment had worked.

“There was no one at the time to really go to. They’ve given you all the treatment and then you feel like you’ve been abandoned. I said ‘What happens now? How can I cope with this?’” she said.

After becoming involved with charity Breast Cancer Care, Betty started to use the charity’s app, BECCA, for support when she felt low.

The app, launched in May 2017, is designed to provide information and support for breast cancer survivors to cover the ‘gap’ in support when women beat the illness.

In particular, Betty uses the app to read the blogs posted by other cancer survivors, which helps her feel less alone.

She also uses the app’s tips on managing mindfulness to help her through tough times.

“It helps if you’re feeling a bit fed up with yourself,” she said.

Betty, a self-confessed 'technophobe', has also used the BECCA-lite version of the app, which can be viewed on laptops if users do not have a smartphone.

“I was having a really hard time after my treatment. I just wish the app had been around back then to help.”

Breast Cancer Care’s app has been nominated for a National Lottery award for the number of women it has helped with its services. Voting closes on July 27 at midnight.

Betty, who is about to celebrate her 70th birthday, told News Shopper: "I always celebrate my birthdays because it means I have survived another year."