cancer campaigner Sandra Woodward was in South Africa for the wedding of her niece earlier this month.

She knew her six-year battle with cancer was nearly over but was determined to travel to celebrate the family event.

Three weeks after returning home, Mrs Woodward has died at St Michael’s Hospice, from ovarian cancer, aged 63.

A former science teacher, she was diagnosed when she retired to Clungunford more than six years ago and dedicated her life to furthering the welfare and care of cancer patients in Herefordshire and Powys.

She studied the disease, becoming a recognised expert, speaking at conferences in the UK and in Europe.

Cancer experts and even government ministers consulted her and, only recently, she was in the House of Commons as a member of the department of health early cancer detection group.

She was deputy chairman of the 3 Counties Cancer Network Herefordshire Users Group and patient governor representing Herefordshire and Powys on the board of Gloucester Hospitals Foundation.

Mrs Woodward, whose own ovarian cancer was diagnosed too late, was determined to make others aware of the disease. During national ovarian cancer week, she ran an awareness campaign at Hereford Leisure Centre and leafleted city businesses to alert women to potential risks.

Mrs Woodward, who underwent much cancer treatment herself, played an active role supporting the Hereford Times Cut the Misery Miles campaign to get radiotherapy at the County Hospital and represented the county on the commissioning group when the final decision was made.

Mel Burgoyne, public and patient involvement officer with the 3 Counties Cancer Network, described Mrs Woodward as an “absolute star”, saying her death would be a great loss to the cancer network.

Alan Lloyd, who with his wife Angela led the successful radiotherapy campaign, said Mrs Woodward was an heroic inspiration of unselfish determination and commitment, who throughout her illness fought to attract attention and awareness of the concerns and needs of cancer patients.

Mrs Woodward is survived by her husband Malcolm.

Meanwhile, Hereford Hospital trust was being asked to review and approve proposals for building the new Macmillan Renton Cancer Unit at the hospital at this week’s board meeting.

Work is due to start in the autumn, after the hutted Kenwater Ward has been demolished to accommodate it. To replace the beds in this ward, the hospital’s day case ward will be open for 23 hours so patients needing overnight care can remain there, rather than be moved.

More beds will also be provided in the main hospital in areas considered “underused”.

People in Herefordshire and the Welsh borders have raised £2.2 million towards the cost of the new unit.