Cancer survivor set for Peru mountain charity trek

Andrea Sheardown was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in 2015

A woman who survived a type of bile duct cancer is travelling to Peru to fundraise for a charity which is working to tackle the disease.

Andrea Sheardown, from Sandbach, Cheshire - along with 21 friends and her husband Chris and daughter Amelia - will climb Rainbow Mountain just before Easter to raise funds for AMMF - the cholangiocarcinoma charity.

The 52-year-old has previously trekked to Everest base camp and cycled from Vietnam to Cambodia to raise money for the charity.

“They’re definitely as daunting each time,” she said. “For me the focus is that when I get back from a challenge I usually have scans.

“Having my mind set on a challenge stops my mind wandering.”

Mrs Sheardown and her group – dubbed Andrea’s AMMF Army – will climb the 5km (3.1 miles) high mountain later this month and set up a fundraising page with the aim of raising £10,000 - donations have already passed £12,500.

Mrs Sheardown's daughter Amelia and husband Chris will join her on the mountain trek

She said when she was first diagnosed in 2015 she was given six weeks to live.

It was only after seeking a second and third opinion that she was successfully treated for the disease, she said.

Nine years on, her most recent scan showed no sign of cancer but she continues to be under the care of Manchester's The Christie.

Mrs Sheardown and her daughter have completed a number of challenges to fundraise for AMMF

Since her diagnosis, Mrs Sheardown has campaigned for the AMMF charity and become an ambassador for the organisation.

The group supports people with cholangiocarcinoma and funds research into its diagnosis and treatment.

She said part of the problem was that many people were diagnosed when it was too late as there were very few symptoms associated with cholangiocarcinoma.

“It doesn’t show in your bloods,” said Mrs Sheardown.

“For me, the only symptoms were pains in the ribcage that I knew weren’t normal for me.”

She said she would continue campaigning and would soon plan her next expedition for after Peru.