In 2003, Mrs Williams, then 47, was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma and

12 months ago with pleural mesothelioma. Both times, surgeons removed large tumours and she had chemotherapy for many months.

The cancer was believed to have been caused by Mrs Williams inhaling invisible asbestos fibres from her father's overalls as she washed his clothes in the '70s.

In 1985, her father, who was in the building industry, was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.

He died six months later at the age of 54. Mrs Williams was well for 25 years, then, in 2003, she was diagnosed with stage four mesothelioma and told she had between two to 18 months to live.

"Somehow I survived and I went on to have about five years in between of reasonably good health, living the way I wanted to.

"A lot of people that get diagnosed get very angry and bitter. I never blamed anyone - I said, 'I've got it and you can't turn back the clock'. You just have to get on with your life - that's the way I've felt right from the start."

Mrs Williams has attended funerals of about 45 people who have died from mesothelioma.

She knows of six people in the Macedon Ranges shire who have died of asbestos-related cancer in the past three years.

Asbestos was banned in Australia in 1990.

Mrs Williams, who is on the committee of Asbestos Diseases Society of Victoria, said her husband Keith and their six children had formed a big part of her support network.

"I think my outlook, my positive attitude, being part of the support group, all helps.

"I'm not kidding myself, I do have tumours in me and they are growing. I just say to people that I live with this cancer. It's accepting it.

"I can see Christmas, I don't look ahead too much further. It's day by day and I make the most of it. There are a lot of people that have it and they don't want to talk about it.

"I do, because it's awareness."

Asbestos Awareness Week runs from November 21-27. The annual commemoration service is at Federation Square at 11am tomorrow.

Details: www.adsvic.org.au