While Cherie is a leading barrister with a six-figure salary, the president's wife was a shy former librarian who loves cooking.

But when they met at Camp David in February, they quickly found they shared a crusade - battling breast cancer.

Cherie lost an aunt and a best friend to the disease¹ and Laura's mother was a victim.

As Tony and Dubya got ready to plot the world's future in Crawford, Texas, the First Ladies joined forces to help women with the disease.

They kicked off their weekend together by attending a fund-raising event for breast cancer awareness² and research.

Cherie, who arrived in Texas before her husband, told the audience in Dallas on Thursday: "We associate our breasts with our nurturing³, our sexuality. To find a lump⁴ and to think of having that femininity⁵ removed is agonising.

"But there is still life after breast cancer. You can still feel alive and sexy."

Laura added: "Many of us know and love someone who has had breast cancer and it is very important we work together to find a cure.

"Cherie thought it would be fun if we worked together to increase awareness in breast cancer care and support."

Each year 200,000 women are diagnosed⁶ with breast cancer in the US and 40,000 in Britain.