Burglars stole a handbag containing a medic-alert card when they broke into a chemotherapy patient’s home.

And they returned days later to steal her car.

Paula Read, of Warnford Grove, Holme Wood, Bradford, has been diagnosed with primary peritoneal cancer, a rare form of the disease which attacks the stomach lining. She is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy for her condition.

As a result of the treatment she must keep a medic alert card in case of complications to warn paramedics of her ongoing treatment. And she needs her car to attend chemotherapy sessions.

The burglars smashed a downstairs window at her home and stole her bag containing the medic alert card and car keys. Her family said it would have been obvious to anyone looking through the bag that Mrs Read, 53, was a cancer patient.

Then, days later they returned and using the keys taken during the break-in and stole her car.

Mrs Read said: “I heard a crash at about 4am. By the time I had reacted they had already got my bag and got away.

“It looks like they used a rock to smash the window, then used the pole from the washing line to hook the bag. When I got downstairs it was all over.

“I phoned the police straightaway and they were absolutely brilliant.

“Then a few days later the thieves came back and stole the car. The car was a present from my mother-in-law – she left the money in her will for me to buy it, so it has great sentimental value as well as the cost. I also need it to attend my chemo appointments.

“My daughter Cheryl drove up 250 miles from her home when she heard and went out around Holme Wood looking for the car.

“She found it and it is now in the police impound lot, but it means I’m without a car. If I get into trouble with my illness I have to rely on Cheryl now but she has her own family to take care of and lives 250 miles away. It’s really difficult for everyone.

“I am absolutely devastated at what’s happened, we all are. Whoever stole my bag must have known I am seriously ill.”

Mrs Read’s other daughter, Lesley Brett, said those who had robbed her mother were ‘scum’.

Miss Brett said: “Mum only moved in at the end of last month. It’s bad enough we are having to deal with mum having cancer but things seem to be going from bad to worse. My mother is devastated by this, it’s the last thing she needs.”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Being the victim of any crime is a very unpleasant experience, with burglary being especially unpleasant due to the invasion of privacy that is associated with the crime.

“We would appeal for anyone with any information to contact PC Omar Sharif via 0845 6060606.”