Jamaican runner Novlene Williams-Mills back on track after cancer fight

When Jamaican Novlene Williams-Mills takes to the track at the world championships in Moscow today she will do so as a flag-bearer for breast cancer sufferers everywhere.

That the 31-year-old 400 metres runner is at the global showpiece is an inspiring story of will, courage and a burning desire to compete.

A little over a month before last year's Olympics, Williams-Mills was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her mind in turmoil, she still ran in London and finished fifth.

A few days later she won bronze in the 4x400 relay before returning home to steel herself for her fight for survival.

Surgery, the first of four trips to the operating theatre, came first. Williams-Mills initially had a small lump removed and later underwent a double mastectomy. Her last surgery was on January 18 and 20 days later she began her journey back to the track.

Initially reticent to talk in public about her disease - her husband Jameel, family members and a handful of close friends only knew what she was going through during the Olympics - she is determined to spread her message of hope.