A WOMAN who was told she had a 90 per cent risk of developing breast cancer has spoken about her decision to have a double mastectomy.

The revelations come as film star Angelina Jolie has also had the same operation for similar reasons.

Steph Stevenson said she viewed her experience as positive.

“It isn’t a sad thing for me, it’s a happy thing – I think how lucky I am to have found out before it was going to turn to breast cancer,” she said.

“I haven’t had to have chemotherapy, radiotherapy or tamoxifen.”

Mother of two Steph, who owns HNB hair salon in Canford Cliffs, went for a routine mammogram after turning 50.

The X-rays showed small spots of calcium in her breasts, which can be a forerunner of cancer.

“We had a family history of breast cancer. I had a grandmother who died really young. People didn’t talk about breast cancer – she just died at 41. An auntie died at 43, but nobody really knew why.”

Steph had eight biopsies, and each time more calcification was found.

“The consultant said the only way of making sure you don’t have any problems is to have a mastectomy. My first reaction was emotional because it knocks you off your feet. The second stage was analytical.

“I needed to know every piece of information and the only place you can do that is the internet.”

Steph, of Wimborne, who also owns a hair products company, researched her options carefully and ended up having her double mastectomy and reconstruction performed privately in Bath last September.

She had been told that the surgery she wanted – which spared her skin and nipples – was not available in Dorset.

She says she was also not offered the chance to have it in another area where it is available on the NHS.

“The first time I cried was when I found out I was going to have to have the mastectomy.

“The second was when the surgeon showed me images of how great it was going to look,” she said.

Steph was back in the salon two weeks after the operation and only then told her staff.

“I think there was a stage when they didn’t believe me. It’s very hard to explain why you’ve had a mastectomy when you haven’t got cancer.”

She is willing to talk to other women facing the same decision and feels strongly that they should be told all their options.

Her daughter Amy, 28, said: “As a family we’re really proud of mum. A lot of women go through the same thing but don’t think they can talk about it.

“Mum’s taken a really horrific time in her life and is using that to help other people. That’s why I find her inspirational.”