A 77-YEAR-OLD woman who died of cancer may have contracted the disease through working with rubber.

Dorothy Davies, who passed away last December, worked for 15 years in the 1960s and 1970s as a rubber feeder at major cable manufacturers BICC's Leigh factory.

Recent studies by health care association BUPA has shown rubber to be a possible cause of the cancer which can develop up to 25 years after exposure.

Her son, James Davies, 55, said the circumstances surrounding his mother's death from cancer of the bladder were distressing and disturbing:

"They were upsetting times. She was admitted to hospital last August with a problem in her leg that was originally suspected to be gout.

After many tests it was finally diagnosed as bladder cancer but by this time it was too late to treat her. She suffered a lot.

"I researched bladder cancer on the internet and found several articles about the condition and possible causes. "A prominent one was contact with chemicals in rubber compounds which is similar to what my mum did at work."

Now Mr Davies would like to hear from people whose relatives may have worked and died under similar circumstances.

He added: "If sufficient numbers are raised to prove that the death of my mother wasn't an isolated case then we can proceed with possible enquiries. For the moment I have to accept my mother's death but if evidence is raised that she could have died from working conditions then we might have a case for compensation."

Mr Davies is available on 01204 460036 or email daviesj2@tdg.co.uk