This is an awful worry to me,” said Gillian Rodriguez Luis-Ravelo.

“We have the faulty BRCA1 gene in our family which makes the women more susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer and men to prostate cancer.”

The faulty BRCA1 gene has been made famous by high-profile carriers such as the actress Angelina Jolie, who had preventative surgery after being told she was at high risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Gillian and Gaby, from Uckfield, are fighting back by taking part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life this weekend.

Gillian, 56, a freelance marketing consultant, thought the faulty gene had come from her mother’s side of the family.

“First my maternal grandmother had breast cancer in the 1980s, then my mum, who passed away in 1999.

“But it turned out to be from my dad’s side,” said Gillian.

“My paternal grandmother had died in 1967 after getting breast cancer and secondary stomach cancer, which we now think was ovarian cancer.”

Gillian was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and recovered following a lumpectomy and five weeks of radiotherapy.

But in May 2007 her abdomen became bloated and she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Being a fighter by nature, she was determined to beat it.

She had a hysterectomy, which caused an early menopause, and chemotherapy.

“Gaby was only five when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“When we knew what we were dealing with, we told her because she hated the ‘don’t knows’.

“Children are pragmatic – if things like this are explained right they will deal with it.”

Gillian had asked for a genetic test to be done a couple of years after she’d had breast cancer.

“I was refused because my female relatives were post-menopausal when they got cancer,” she said.

“When I was fighting ovarian cancer in 2007 I asked for the test again.

“It took about six months to get the result that showed my dad was a carrier – and so was I.

“Because they couldn’t test my mother, they don’t know if the inherited gene came from both sides, but I understand that would be an anomaly.”

Gaby, 23, a lettings agent, will be monitored for cancer from the age of 30.

“She has 50 per cent of my husband’s genes and she looks like him, so I just hope that extends to her genetic make-up,” said Gillian.

“We both have a mind-set of prevention rather than cure and she’s very aware of her body, eating healthily and keeping fit.

“If you have a run of cancer in your family, I’d recommend having this simple blood test, although it has to be a personal decision” said Gillian.

“If you have the test, you can plan ahead… for life.”

Despite the trauma of going through cancer treatment twice, there were laughs along the way.

“Losing my hair wasn’t a big shock when you equate it to the fact it’s going to save your life.

“I got a slightly darker wig, which my husband Freddy called ‘my Tina Turner look’.

“The wig shot off in the wind once and the dog thought it was a rabbit and chased it.”

Gillian and Gaby have been inspired to take part in Race for Life together and will be doing the 5k event in Stanmer Park, Brighton, on Saturday.

There is also a 10k event on the Saturday and a Pretty Muddy event on the Sunday, all at Stanmer Park.

They are encouraging other mothers and daughters to join them and sign up to Race for Life at www.raceforlife.org

Gillian said: “It’s a lovely event to do together.

“The atmosphere is always moving but positive and to do it with Gaby is really special.

“Everyone who takes part makes a real difference in the fight against the disease.”

Gaby added: “I’m so grateful for the treatment that helped to save my mum’s life and I’m proud to sign up to Race for Life alongside her.

“It promises to be a very moving day, joining together with so many others who have also been affected by this devastating disease.”

One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before.

Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, half marathon and hiking events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer sooner by funding crucial research.

Jenny Ainsworth, event manager for Race for Life, said: “We’re really grateful to Gill and Gaby for their support.

“By taking part, women can make a real difference in the fight against cancer. Money raised will help Cancer Research UK scientists and doctors find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat all 200 types of cancer, helping save more lives.

“Taking part in Race for Life is a special and unique experience – full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter.

“Every step participants take will help to support crucial research.

“Every day, around 130 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South East.

“That’s why we’re calling on women and girls to join women from every walk of life at the start line.

“By taking part in Race for Life and raising money for research, our participants play a crucial role in helping to turn discoveries made in the lab into better treatments for patients.”

To enter Race for Life today visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.

The 5k and 10k races both start at 11am at Stanmer Park on Saturday.

The Brighton Pretty Muddy starts at Stanmer Park at 10am on Sunday.