I got news I never expected just weeks before my 21st birthday – then I spent the day in hospital having a double mastectomy: ‘I didn’t think it would happen to me’

A fit and healthy young woman has revealed the series of unexpected events that led to her undergoing a double mastectomy on her 21st birthday.

It all started a few months earlier, when Newcastle model Lilly Chugg was tested to see if she carried the deadly breast cancer gene from her family.

Lilly admitted she was pretty sure she didn’t carry the gene that caused the disease, despite the fact that both her mother Nicole and sister Taylor tested positive.

“I’ve always said I look more like my dad. I went into the test thinking I didn’t have it, so I was really shocked,” she told FEMAIL.

But the shock soon gave way to sheer determination: she wanted her breasts and wanted to eliminate any chance of developing the disease.

Lilly’s sister was 22 when she found out she had the disease. She felt like she had the disease her whole life, so it wasn’t a surprise.

It took Taylor more than a year to decide to have surgery.

Lilly discovered she carried the gene that her mother Nicole and sister Taylor also carried. All three women underwent double mastectomies to reduce their risk of cancer.

Their mother was tested 15 years ago, when she was 32, but said “it felt different” because she had already completed her family by then.

She urged her daughters to wait a little longer before undergoing tests and to carefully consider the life-changing surgery.

But Lilly knew immediately what she wanted to do.

“I saw my mother and sister go through the same thing,” she said.

The family history with the gene began when Lilly and her sister were little.

Her mother’s cousin, Daniella, died after a short battle with the disease, leaving behind her young family.

“I had a feeling it was going to happen, but nothing could have prepared me for it. I started crying my eyes out,” said Lilly’s mother, Nicole.

“I was glad I noticed it and I was fine because my cousin didn’t have that chance,” she added.

Ultimately, Nicole also had a full hysterectomy, as the BRCA gene can also affect other female reproductive organs.

Her daughters grew up knowing that one day they would have to undergo tests to see if they carried the disease.

“I didn’t expect them both to get it. It’s heartbreaking to know that they lost the chance to breastfeed their children,” Nicole said.

Taylor, who waited a year before undergoing the major surgery, said she wasn’t “happy with the outcome” but is still glad she had the surgery.

Taylor said she is very happy with the surgeon’s work and loves her “new” body

She is glad she had the choice to reduce her chances of developing that particular disease.

Meanwhile, Lilly has never been happier or more confident than she is now. She says the surgeon did a great job for her.

Lilly, who has always been fit and athletic, said the recovery was not as difficult as she had thought and she was able to get back to her life within a few weeks.

“Ultimately, I’m glad I know it’s not going to set me back. It was a sacrifice for long-term gain,” she said.

She added that the first two weeks after surgery were the hardest – within four weeks she was back in the gym

Both Lilly and her sister want children and are considering having a hysterectomy to further reduce the risk of this aggressive form of cancer once they have completed their family.

Lilly shares snippets of her journey online and says she loves being able to help other young women with their decisions.

“So many women have messaged me thanking me,” she said.

Lilly is sharing her story as part of the GHD Pink Campaign, which raises awareness for breast cancer.