My name is Joanna, I'm 24 and in May 2017, I was diagnosed with a faulty BRCA gene, which meant I had a very high chance of developing breast cancer. Both my Mum & Grandma had breast cancer. My grandma passed away due to breast cancer in her early 30's and my Mum was also in her 30's when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but then unfortunately passed away due to cervical cancer in 2013.. In September 2018, I opted to have a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction to reduce my risk of developing breast cancer by 90%.

Since having surgery I have felt inspired to do something productive to help raise money for charity, as well as help spread awareness/knowledge of the BRCA gene and breast cancer.

I have got a group of lovely ladies together from across Yorkshire who have been affected by breast cancer in some way. We are recreating Ashley Banjo's Ladies Night dance to "This Is Me" by Keala Settle (without the stripping)

We have a fabulous choreographer (Kerry) ready to teach us some killer moves. It's going to be a long journey as my best move right now is the side step!

This will form part of an event that I am organising which will take place on 18th May 2019 at The Grove Hall in South Kirkby. Tickets have already sold out.

I would like to introduce you to all my lovely ladies and tell you their breast cancer stories:

Adele H: Has had two different types of breast cancer, she had two independent tumors so she had a left side mastectomy and then six months of chemotherapy which finished in October 2018. Adele has chosen to have a fabulous blue floral tattoo rather than opting for breast reconstruction.

Danielle: Had stage 3 er+ inflammatory breast cancer. She went through chemotherapy, a mastectomy and lymph node removal, as well as 15 rounds of radiotherapy. She is now being put through the menopause to stop the estrogen, with a monthly implant of zoladex to shut off her ovaries, she is also on daily tamoxifen for the rest of the estrogen. Danielle is currently waiting for DIEP flap reconstruction.

Julie: In 2008, Julie was diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy and her lymph nodes removed, as well as 6 sessions of chemotherapy and 30 sessions of radiotherapy. In 2009, Julie was diagnosed with grade 1 breast cancer in the other breast. She then had a double mastectomy and reconstruction due to a faulty BRCA1 gene and she has also had her ovaries and Fallopian tubes removed.

Dawn: In August 2018, Dawn was diagnosed with breast cancer (5.2cm), lymph nodes (2.2cm) and neck nodes (7mm) and liver (4.5cm). Dawn's cancer is stage 4 grade 3, HER2 positive and estrogen receptive positive, so terminal, treatable but not curable. She has just finished 6 sessions of chemotherapy, Pertuzumab, TransTuzumab and Docetaxel. Another 8 months of Pertuzumab and TransTuzumab to go, then hormone tablets for 10 years with regular scans every 3 months.

Sally: Sally had her mastectomy in 2006 after a breast cancer diagnosis and was treated with Arimadex for 5 years. She was diagnosed with terminal secondary breast cancer in 2015 and is currently being treated with chemotherapy.

Denise: In 2010, Denise was diagnosed with Kidney cancer. In 2016, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and secondary renal cancer. She says she obviously likes hospitals!

Pauline: In 2006, Pauline was diagnosed with Grade 2 breast cancer and had a lumpectomy and lymph node removal. She had 25 sessions of radiotherapy and was not given any follow up medication as her cancer was not hormone receptive.

Lynne: In 2016, Lynne had a right mastectomy, 10 lymph nodes removed, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She had reconstruction and a reduction in 2017 and had a fabulous nipple tattoo 3 months ago!

Janet: Janet was diagnosed with stage 3 aggressive breast cancer in October 2015 and underwent surgery in November 2015. She had a left mastectomy and several lymph nodes removed but unfortunately developed lymphedema in her left arm. Janet is currently going through her LD flap reconstruction and is currently taking tamoxifen.

Machaela: Machaela is 41 and was diagnosed with grade 2 breast cancer in May 2017. Following this, she had a lumpectomy and 3 lymph nodes removed which were all clear. Due to Machaela having a high Oncotype score (high risk of reoccurance), she had 6 rounds of chemotherapy and 20 rounds of radiotherapy and is now on anastrozole for 5 years. In June 2018, Machaela had preventative surgery in the form of lapascopic hysterectomy which ended her monthly zoladex injections.

Sara: Sara was diagnosed with grade 3 stage 3c invasive DCIS, with 3 tumours Dec 2015, aged 46. 14/17 lymph nodes were affected. She had a mastectomy, 6 months of chemotherapy, further surgery for complications and sepsis. Then followed 15 cycles of radiotherapy and a year of Herceptin infusions. This had to stop and start twice, due to heart failure. Sara was keen to complete treatment as her life expectancy was 44% chance of living 5 years with it. She has had LD reconstruction and awaits 3 more breast surgeries and hysterectomy.

Anita: Anita was diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer 3.10.2017, grade 2, ER positive. She had a lumpectomy, full axillary lymph nodes surgery, then 6 sessions of EC chemotherapy and 23 sessions of radiotherapy, finally finishing in July 2018. Anita has to take tamoxifen for the next 10 years. She is the first woman in her family to be diagnosed with breast cancer and she hopes she has kicked cancers ass!

Sharon: Sharon was diagnosed with stage 3 oestrogen receptive breast cancer in her left breast in March 2013. She had a lumpectomy and 2 lymph nodes removed in May 2013. She then followed on to have 6 months of chemotherapy and 5 weeks radiotherapy. Sharon is now 5 years clear.

Lauren: Lauren hasn't been affected by breast cancer herself, but she has had close family members who have suffered. Her step mum had to have a mastectomy due to a breast cancer diagnosis. Lauren is proud of every woman who is taking part in this and she feels honoured to be a part of it.