MAJOR UPHEAVAL: Anna with her boyfriend Frazer
Two months later, she found a 'more visible' lump in her left breast, measuring 2cm in diameter, but she delayedas she thought it was also benign and 'didn't really think anything of it'. Six weeks later, she underwent an ultrasound and a biopsy, assuming it was 'standard procedure' – but two weeks later, she received the triple negative breast cancer diagnosis – a more aggressive form of breast cancer that is harder to treat.
According to Breast Cancer Now, around 15 per cent of all breast cancers are triple negative, which is more common in younger women with an altered BRCA gene. Anna discovered that she carried the altered BRCA1 gene during treatment – an inherited gene that increases the risk of breast cancer.A DIFFICULT PROCESS: Anna undergoing chemotherapy treatment, wearing a cold cap
"The appearance side was quite difficult…but just remembering that it's temporary, and it will get better, really helped me get through it."A CHILDHOOD DREAM: Anna with her new hair extensions