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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 just months earlier when Newcastle model Lilly Chugg was tested to see if she carried her family's deadly breast cancer gene.
Lilly admitted she was fairly confident she wouldn't carry the gene responsible for causing the disease, despite both her mum Nicole and sister Taylor testing positive.
'I always said I take more after dad. I went into the test thinking I didn't have it so I was really shocked,' she told FEMAIL.
But the shock was soon replaced with sheer determination; she wanted her breasts, and any chances of developing the disease gone.
Lilly's sister was 22 when she found out she carried the disease, though said had a feeling she carried it most of her life so it came as less of a surprise.
It took Taylor over a year to decide to go under the knife for the major surgery.
Lilly Chugg went under the knife for a double mastectomy on her 21st birthday
Lilly found out she carried the gene which her mum Nicole and sister Taylor also carried. All three women had double mastectomy's to reduce their risk of cancer
Their mum was tested 15 years ago when she was 32 but said 'it felt different' because she had already completed her family.
She urged her daughters to wait a little for testing and to carefully consider the life-altering surgery.
But Lilly knew instantly what she wanted to do.
'I watched my mum and my sister go through the same thing,' she said.
The family's history with the gene began when Lilly and her sister were little.
Their mum's cousin Daniella passed away after a short fight against the disease, leaving behind her young family.
'I had a feeling I would have it, but nothing could prepare me for it, I started crying my eyes out,' Lilly's mum Nicole said.
'I was grateful I had caught it and I was okay because my cousin didn't have that chance,' she added.
Nicole ended up having a full hysterectomy as well, because the BRCA gene can impact other female sex organs.
Her daughters grew up knowing they would one day have to do tests to see if they carried the disease.
'I didn't expect both of them to have it, it is gut wrenching knowing they have had to forfeit the opportunity to breastfeed their kids,' Nicole said.
Taylor, who waited a year before opting for the huge surgery, said she didn't come out 'loving the result' but is still glad she went through with the operation.
Taylor said she is really pleased with the surgeon's work and loves her 'new' body
She's happy she had a choice to slash her chances of that particular disease.
Meanwhile Lilly has never been happier or more confident and says the surgeon did a great job with her.
Always fit and athletic Lilly added that the recovery wasn't as brutal as she thought it would be and she was back to living her life in weeks.
'In the end I am happy knowing it won't get me down the track. It was a sacrifice for long-term gain,' she said.
She added the first two weeks following surgery were the most difficult - within 4 weeks she was back to the gym
Both Lilly and her sister want children and will consider a hysterectomy to further reduce their chances of the aggressive form of cancer once they have completed their families.
Lilly has shared glimpses of her journey online and says she loves being able to help other young women with their decision.
'So many women have sent me messages to thank me,' she said.
Lilly is sharing her story as part of the GHD Pink Campaign which raises awareness for breast cancer.