Only 4% of breast cancer cases in the UK occur in women under the age of 40. By the age of 35, Kaz Foncette had been diagnosed twice.

At a young age, Kaz developed a passion for clothes while accompanying her mother to the fabric factory where she worked. This love for fashion would later help her pull through some of the most life-changing events of her life, particularly in coping with the hair loss that occurs as a result of chemotherapy. Her style became her lifeline.

Later, propelled by the lack of fashionable wigs available on the NHS, she founded Wigs For Heroes: a grassroots charity located in Tottenham that’s dedicated to supporting people undergoing cancer treatment in the local community. It now provides everything from wig grants and pamper bags to cancer support workshops, coffee club socials and helpful online resources and video tutorials.

But Kaz is so much more than a two-time breast cancer survivor. She’s a beacon of hope and support for women in similar situations; she’s a source of fashion inspiration; she’s a storyteller on everything from mental health to grief; she’s a woman on a mission to reclaim her body.

Here, she candidly shares how she recovered her sense of self post reconstructive surgery and how she’s come to love her body and her boobs more than ever…

“People still find it shocking that I’ve had breast cancer because I look normal and I look young – I’m like five foot two. So being petite and looking healthy, people just don’t think breast cancer can have been part of my life. When I say I’ve had a reconstruction, people usually assume it’s a boob job.

“When I do meet new people, it always comes up. I don’t know why. I think I sometimes want people to know how strong I am and what I’ve dealt with.

“I talked about it when I used the M&S BraFit™ service recently and I didn’t mind. The fitter was really good at protecting my modesty and making me feel comfortable in such an intimate space. I also didn’t feel rushed and felt that I had her full attention. I haven’t actually had a proper fitting for a couple of years now and the staff were really friendly, so it was a really nice experience.

“She even helped me pick some styles that suited me best. The silk and lace wired full-cup bra from the ‘Rosie’ range was probably my ultimate favourite.”

“I had breast cancer twice before the age of 35, which was a shock not only for myself, but for my family too and everyone around me. I never expected to face a major life event so early on.

“The first time I was diagnosed was in 2017, it was on 2 May. It was a day after my six-year wedding anniversary, I’d just turned 31 in March and then everything changed. I’m a completely different person to that girl who was diagnosed. I thought I knew it all when I really knew nothing.

“I went through an intense 15 months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy because my cancer was quite an aggressive kind – it had spread to my lymph nodes. Luckily, they were able to just remove the lump and the affected tissue. I was happy with that because being a young woman, I didn’t want to lose my boob – I just couldn’t see myself waking up without one.”

“I went to Turkey for my friend’s wedding in September 2018 and I thought I was in remission when I started feeling really tired. The redness from radiotherapy never really went away and my boob hurt, so that was a major concern for me. I went back to my care nurse multiple times but they reassured me that this was all normal.

“But the scar tissue kept getting bigger – I could feel it – so I was referred back to my oncologist. I went through lots of tests in December and then in January 2019 I was diagnosed again, in the same breast and in the same place.

“I didn’t want to lose my hair again. I’d finally got to a place where I felt happy in myself and the way that I looked. During the first treatment cycle I’d gained a lot of weight, my body changed so much, my face changed too. When they told me the cancer was back I just thought, ‘This is how I’m going to die.’

“I wanted them to take both of my breasts at first but they reassured me it wouldn’t be necessary as the other one was unaffected. I asked for a reconstruction because I just didn’t want to wake up with nothing there, so that’s what we did.”

“The thing I love about my boobs is that they don’t give away the fact that I’ve had breast cancer. I love that people can see me and say, ‘I can’t even tell you’ve had reconstructive surgery.’ I love that and it’s great for myself, every day, when I look in the mirror.

“When I’m in lingerie that I love, it makes me feel really, really empowered and super-confident. I’m walking around and I’ve got this lovely set underneath and that puts a spring in my step. A nicely-fitting bra makes me feel comfortable, confident and cancer-free.

“When I had chemo I felt really unfeminine and unsexy. I never thought I’d get to the point where I’d be able to feel good again. I feel like I love my body more now.

“I would say to other women wanting a better relationship with their body and boobs – just do what makes you feel happy. Do what makes you feel good. That could mean going around the shops and trying things that you’ve never worn before if you’re having a confidence crisis. The fitting room was my friend and nobody judged me in there but myself. I loved that.”

“There aren’t many women in the Turkish Cypriot Mediterranean girl community that talk about having cancer – there’s this taboo around it, especially for single girls but I want to keep talking about it because a diagnosis can be such a lonely world.

“When I was looking for somebody like me to get some perspective on what I was going through I couldn’t find it. I need to be that someone, for myself and for other women too. I want them to be able to reach out to me. I’m happy to offer guidance and change the way people think about breast cancer.

“I feel blessed to have this sort of wisdom that I can pass on to the younger generation and even the older generation too. It’s nice.”

If you’re looking for a way to show your boobs some extra love, the M&S BraFit™ service is here to help.

As the undisputed experts of bras in the UK, their best-in-class bra service is designed to help you find the perfect fit, no matter your size, shape or preference. Whether you’re looking for maximum support, an everyday staple or something with a little more to it, you’ll be spoilt for choice with everything from first bras and sports bras to shapewear, post-surgery bras and strapless fits.

Whether you want to pop into your local M&S or you’d prefer to stay in the comfort of your own home, show your boobs the care they deserve by booking in your bra fitting online or in store today.