CANCER patient Patsy Parsons has won her fight for breast reconstruction surgery following a U-turn by health bosses.

The mother-of-four's victory comes after her fourth appeal against Stoke-on-Trent Primary Care Trust's decision to refuse to pay for the treatment, which it classed as cosmetic surgery.

All her funding applications have been backed by her consultant and GP, but she believes the change of mind was partly due to a growing campaign of support after The Sentinel highlighted the issue, including a group of 1,451 members on the Facebook networking website.

Last night Patsy, aged 33, of Heathfield Road, Chell Heath, said: "I am over the moon and looking forward to restarting my life after it has been shut down.

"My confidence has been shattered and I cry every day but now I can't wait to have the operation, which will be in the next three to six months.

"My appeal was last Friday and, as I had heard nothing until yesterday, I feared the worst. Then came a call out of the blue saying they had decided to approve the funding.

"It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders."

She needs the surgery after part of her left breast was removed 22 months ago.

It was set to go ahead at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire last year, and she even underwent a pre-op examination, when the finance was pulled.

Patsy, whose children are aged from two to 13 years old, said the PCT explained that as the procedure involved breast implants it had been classed as cosmetic surgery, which is not available on the NHS.

But it has now been reclassified as essential reconstruction work following illness and approved.

"I will not understand the full reasons until I get a confirming letter, but for the moment I'm just overjoyed," she said.

Cancer was diagnosed on Patsy's birthday two years ago and, after a lumpectomy left a disfiguring scar, the illness was so aggressive she needed a hysterectomy. She now takes drugs to stop it returning.

When the operation was carried out, surgeons assured her she would have the breast put back to how it had looked.

Cousin Jenny Bowers, aged 40, from Hartshill was behind the Facebook campaign. She said:"It's a national health service not a Stoke-on-Trent one and it's disgraceful women cannot get this treatment here without a fight.

"If it had been refused again some members of Facebook were planning to chip in a fiver each to get it done privately. But Patsy is a cancer patient, who surely should have qualified for NHS funding."

Ian Syme, of campaign group Healthwatch, said: "The PCT tried to nit-pick and look for excuses when it was clear from national guidance that this operation must be funded.

"By standing her ground, Patsy has done so much to help other women she will never meet."

The PCT would not comment on an individual case, but a spokesman said it was always willing to listen to new evidence in reviewing funding decisions.