And as he recovers from a gruelling course of chemotherapy, the Right Reverend Ian Cundy took time to offer other sufferers some inspiring words of hope.

He said: "If you have cancer, my message is to go on living.

"We are all mortal. The only certainty about life is that one day, it will end.

"But you don't think about it – you just get on with living."

Bishop Ian (63) was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October 2007, and it is that positive attitude, the support of family and friends of all religions and his faith that has provided him with the strength to fight the disease.

Mesothelioma is almost always caused by inhaling asbestos fibres, but while Bishop Ian has never worked directly where it was present, he said there were plenty of opportunities for him to have encountered it in the past.

The potentially-deadly material was used to lag homes, and even in household items such as ironing boards, before its dangers became known.

He said: "Builders can get it, but the strange thing is that a lot of other people get it through a chance encounter. It doesn't occur immediately – it happens 25 to 30 years later."

The prognosis is usually a matter of months, but in Bishop Ian's case, it was detected at an early stage – increasing his chances of being able to lead a relatively active lifestyle and do a reasonable amount of work after he has gained strength.

He said: "I was fortunate in that it was picked up quite early and having had a course of chemotherapy, it has shrunk considerably.

"I may have years rather than months, but I would rather not know.

"I've had six sessions of chemotherapy. It is as debilitating as the disease. I got very tired. There are lots of side effects.

"But," he joked, "I didn't lose my hair."

Bishop Ian, whose vast diocese covers 300 parishes across Peterborough, Rutland and Northamptonshire, admitted he could do very little while undergoing intensive treatment, but is hoping to resume light duties.

Since the diagnosis, the Suffragan Bishop of Brixworth, the Rt Rev Frank White, has taken on many of the services, assisted by the Ven David Painter and the Ven Christine Allsopp and the honorary assistant bishop in the diocese, the Rt Rev John Flack.

Bishop Ian, who lives with his wife Jo (62) in what he calls an "oasis" in the cathedral grounds, revealed how he had received e-mails from cancer sufferers across the world.

And he said the poignant messages from people of all faiths had helped him along the uncertain road ahead.

He said: "I've received an enormous amount of prayers across the world, not just from Christians.

"I know I've been prayed for at the mosque and synagogue in Peterborough. I have friends in both.

"The fact people are praying for you is a tremendous source of support. You never feel alone.

"When it became known I had cancer, I received a deluge of cards. So many people stopped me, and were enormously encouraging, which left me feeling very positive.