Elizabeth Bishop's life was put on hold after she found a lump in her neck.

Elizabeth had always been fit and healthy and was looking forward to a bright future.

She had just completed a degree in business and marketing at Brighton University and was working as a credit controller in a bank.

Everything appeared to be going well until Elizabeth was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, a form of cancer of the lymph glands, and her life was put on hold.

The problems started in June 2002 when a relative noticed part of her neck was swollen.

Elizabeth, 24, said: "A lump seemed to be sticking right out. I was surprised but did not worry too much and it eventually went away.

"I did not think about it again until a few months later when I was having lunch with friends.

"They were horrified and pointed out that I had a huge swelling on my neck. I thought I had developed mumps or something.

"I went to an emergency doctor who thought it was more likely to be some sort of viral infection but said I should get it checked."

Elizabeth visited her GP and over the next few weeks went through several tests for conditions such as thyroid problems.

Finally in January this year, after a biopsy, a specialist at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton confirmed she had cancer.

Elizabeth, from Brighton, said: "It was a shock. I had never heard of it before and had no idea what to expect.

"The specialist told me the recovery rate was between 80 and 90 per cent but there was so much to take in."

Elizabeth was lucky because her cancer had been caught early and had not spread to any other lymph glands, such as under her arms or in her groin.

She had to have chemotherapy every two weeks for five months and this was followed by an intensive four weeks of radiotherapy which ended earlier this month.

She said: "It was a difficult time but I was able to cope. As soon as my hair started to fall out I decided to shave it all off.

"I had injections after my treatment which stopped me getting painful ulcers associated with chemotherapy but I still suffered side-effects like aches which felt like growing pains."

Elizabeth also found herself having to deal with a subject unusual for someone her age.

This was whether to accept a course of injections which would effectively put her through a chemical menopause while she was going through her treatment.

She said: "The idea was that the injections would close the ovaries each month to reduce the risk of the chemotherapy making me infertile.

"I agreed to take them but it was not nice to think about. I'm not thinking about children at the moment but I would like kids at some point.

"Realising there was a risk I might not be able to have any at all was a bit of a jolt."

Now the radiotherapy is over Elizabeth is waiting for the results of a scan to find out whether she can be given the all-clear.

She said: "I have always had a very positive attitude and have not let my condition get to me.

"Later on this year I am planning to get away from it all for a while and go to India. I need to have some time to think and take stock of everything that has happened. Then I can get on with my life again."

Elizabeth was supported by her family and friends while going through her treatment.

Her colleagues at Lloyds/TSB shaved their heads and raised £1,300, the money going to the Sussex Cancer Centre at the Royal Sussex where she was treated.

Elizabeth said: "People at work have been great and really supportive.

"Raising the money was a great way to help and has also helped raise awareness of the condition itself which is also important."