Geri Halliwell talks about breast cancer

Ms Halliwell, who is helping to promote a campaign to raise awareness of the disease, spoke about her experiences on BBC television's Breakfast News programme.

As an 18-year-old, she needed an emergency operation after discovering a lump on her breast. It turned out not to be dangerous, but she has taken an interest in cancer since.

"I had a little idea about breast cancer because my Aunt had it," Ms Halliwell, formerly Ginger Spice, told the programme.

"It was quite a scarey time for me. I did not know the real factors, but I was aware that it was possible that I might have to have a masectomy."

Ms Halliwell urged all women to check their breasts regularly, and not to be embarrassed about seeking medical help.

She said the confidence to go to a doctor was a natural extension of the "Girl Power" famously promoted by the Spice Girls.

"You have to rely on women's intuition, you know when you don't feel right. You should not feel silly, go back for a second opinion when you don't feel right."

Ms Halliwell now plans to campaign on breast cancer awareness in the USA.

A survey published to coincide with the Breast Cancer Awareness Month found that women fear breast cancer more than any other disease.

The poll, conducted by MORI, 56% of women said they most feared contracting the disease - more than the combined total of those who feared developing cervical cancer or heart disease, or having a stroke.

Risk factors

The report also showed that many women were unaware of the factors that could put them at risk of breast cancer.

Screening can detect the cancer early

Around 58% thought that breast cancer was likely to be inherited, although research suggests that only 5% of cases can be attributed to hereditary factors.

Only 15% of the 1,000 women polled thought that a healthy diet could help prevent the disease.

However, scientists say that making changes to lifestyle could cut incidence of the cancer by up to one-third.

Common cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in westernised countries and accounts for 20% of all female cancers.

It is estimated that one in 12 British women will develop breast cancer at some time in their life, and each year 14,000 women in the UK die from the condition.

Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a research organisation, said: "This poll reflects the ground swell of public concern about breast cancer.

"Despite some recent improvements in the mortality rate, breast cancer still kills more women between the ages of 35 and 54 in this country than any other disease and yet we still know very little about how to prevent or cure it."

Campaign launch

Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to get rid off any misconceptions women may have about the disease.

Charities involved with the disease will stage events throughout October.

UK charity Breast Cancer Care will launch a pink ribbon enamel badge, which Ms Halliwell urged people to buy.

Earlier this month Ms Halliwell auctioned one of her dresses for the charity Sargent Cancer Care for Children.