Women who stand up and be counted

● Fran Haworth, 48, from Mitcham, south London, is nine years cancer free. She had a double mastectomy and partial hysterectomy in 2010 after learning she carried the mutated BRCA2 gene despite no family history. She said: “I never thought it would happen to me. If I can help one other woman I can feel like I have done something.”

● Helen Smith, 55, from Leigh-on-sea, Essex, never had breast cancer but inherited the mutated BRCA1 gene, and took the same route as Angelina Jolie in choosing a preventative double mastectomy. She said: “It was a no brainer. As soon as I knew I had it I was a basket case. It felt like I was sitting on a ticking time bomb. Afterwards it was like I could come up for air.”

● Instagrammer Kaz Foncette, from Tottenham, north London, was just 31 when she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer two years ago and was diagnosed again in January. She said: “We were so young, starting our married lives, thinking about travelling or nights out. I had no idea it was possible at that age, I didn’t even think to check. I thought it was important to raise awareness and be liberated by doing the shoot.” ● Saxophonist Rosemary Quaye, 50, from Knutsford, Cheshire, had a mastectomy after being diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and stage one ductal carcinoma. She had an invitation to have a mammogram early, aged 49, and nearly turned it down. “That scan saved my life. If you have a chance to be checked or suspect anything go for it. I had no lump, no itching, no pain, nothing. You never know.”

● Vickie Mchugh, 35, from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2017 having been misdiagnosed for almost a year with a cyst caused by breastfeeding. If it wasn’t for her persistence she might not be here today. She said: “Even a five-minute check can save your life. If something doesn’t feel right keep going back till you feel happy.”

● Dancer Samantha Vale, 36, from Chesham, Buckinghamshire, had a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with invasive breast cancer last year, but more cancer was discovered in July and she is to start more chemotherapy. She chose not to reconstruct her breasts. “I want to show people you can be flat and still beautiful. It isn’t an option that is often presented to you, but I want people to know it is there.”