A BOUT with cancer fuelled an interest in health and fitness for Tracey Combes and now she has the chance to chase it further.

Ms Combes, of Eerwah Vale, is one of 11 Australian women who have been chosen for the Fernwood Learning Scholarship Program.

The program, run through Fernwood Learning and associated with the Fernwood Fitness Women's Health Clubs, is designed to create career options for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Ms Combes, who had breast cancer six years ago, is about to start studying a Certificate 3 in Fitness through the program.

She decided to apply for the scholarship, worth about $2000, after hearing about it during a Breast Cancer Network of Australia confer

ence.

She is already a community liaison officer for the network and runs a wellbeing group out of Eumundi, bringing together women who share a common bond through cancer to walk and catch up on the last Friday of each month.

Ms Combes, a singer currently working part-time, said she was interested in the scholarship because it aligned with her lifestyle and interests.

"When the opportunity came up, I applied and it came back that they wanted me, which was very exciting," she said.

The certificate could lead her to become a fitness instructor, which would combine her interest in fitness and her skills as a performer to command the attention of a room full of people.

"I really want to learn how the body works and how to maximise your body and your health," she said.

"That's why I'm really keen to do it. It would be to get to help other people."

Network CEO Christine Nolan said the Fernwood scholarship was an important step in helping women diagnosed with breast cancer achieve career goals.

To join the women's cancer wellbeing group at Eumundi, phone 0423 923 417.