PATIENTS who have been affected by breast cancer took to the catwalk at West Middlesex Hospital last Friday, to highlight how life goes on after the disease.

Volunteer models who have been treated at the hospital in Twickenham Road, Isleworth, took part in the fashion show at the launch of its new Breakthrough Service Pledge for Breast Cancer.

The West Mid is one of 25 hospitals signing up to the pledge, created by the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, which guarantees standards of service patients can expect.

Everyone diagnosed with breast cancer there will receive a copy of the document, telling them what services should be available and who to contact if they feel improvements could be made.

Friday's fashion show was organised by Macmillan nurses Natashia Cedeno and Hazel Ricard, with support from the Marks and Spencer and John Lewis stores in Kingston.

Maggie Alexander, director of policy, education and influencing at Breakthrough, said: "We are delighted the West Mid has committed to improving its service through our service pledge.

"Straightforward suggestions from patients can make a big difference to services and do not have to be expensive to have a real impact on their experience."

Nearly 46,000 women and about 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK.