Wants to encourage others with the gene to have preventative surgery

She lost her mother to cancer, so decided to have her breasts removed

by 85 per cent and ovarian cancer by 65%

Charley Wood was told she has the BCRA1 gene, which raised her risk of developing breast

A young woman who opted to have a double mastectomy at the age of 26 has released a series of photographs documenting her journey.

Charley Wood, from Timperley, Greater Manchester, had both her breasts removed this summer after learning she had inherited the BRCA1 gene.

Miss Wood, who works as a podiatrist, lost her mother Lorraine to ovarian cancer in 2006 - and discovered she had inherited the gene last year after a series of tests.

Having been told she had an 85 per cent chance of developing breast cancer, she decided to undergo a preventive mastectomy to reduce her risk of the disease.

Charley Wood, 26, had both her breasts removed this summer after learning she had inherited the BRCA1 gene, which raises the risk of cancer. Following surgery she was fitted with drains (pictured right)so blood and fluid could flow from her breasts into a bag

Miss Wood has been taking photographs of her ordeal, and writing a blog, in a bid to encourage more young women to consider having preventative surgery if they know they have a chance of developing cancer

Miss Wood underwent the two-stage procedure to remove and reconstruct both breasts in July. As she couldn't get her new breasts wet she had to wear cling film while washing (pictured)

She is now considering a hysterectomy after doctors revealed she has a 65 per cent chance of getting ovarian cancer in future.

She anticipates undergoing the procedure between the age of 35 and 40 after having a family.

As part of her recovery process, Miss Wood took photographs and wrote a blog about her ordeal, in a bid to encourage more young women to consider having preventative surgery if they know they have a chance of developing cancer.

She said: 'As soon as I knew I had inherited the BRCA1 gene I wanted to have a double mastectomy.

'My breasts were a ticking time bomb and I wanted to eliminate the risk of developing breast cancer as much as possible.'

At 17, Miss Wood was forced to watch her own mother die of cancer.

She deteriorated very quickly, a memory which influenced Miss Wood's decision to have her own breasts removed.

'It was a huge shock for the whole family,' she said. 'My mum was a pharmacist and she had no symptoms until her diagnosis.

'When mum died I didn't realise there was a genetic link, but my grandmother and great auntie also died of ovarian cancer so I decided to get tested last year.

My breasts were a ticking time bomb and I wanted to eliminate the risk of developing breast cancer as much as possible Charley Wood, 26

'My older sister Vanessa had already tested positive for the gene and had a double mastectomy, so I knew there was a high chance that I would too.

'When the doctor told me I had tested positive for the BRCA gene I asked to be referred for surgery straight away.

'Some women choose to have regular mammograms, but for me it just wasn't an option.

'I didn't want to risk not being alive to watch any children I have in the future grow up.'

Miss Wood underwent the two-stage procedure to remove and reconstruct both breasts in July at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.

First, a diagonal or horizontal cut was made across her breast and the tissue removed.

Two drains were inserted on either side, attached to a bags, enabling fluid and blood to drain out of the breast area.

Miss Wood opted to have a nipple-sparing mastectomy, rather than a nipple being tattooed on afterwards.

This meant her nipple was lifted up and kept when her breasts were being removed, rather than being cut out and thrown away.

Miss Wood is pictured after her operation, wearing medical tape on her breasts to support them, and showing her drain. At first she needed help to get out of bed, was unable to even tie up her hair or lift anything heavy

At 17, Miss Wood was forced to watch her own mother die of cancer. Her mother, Lorraine, is pictured with her as a baby

As there is no blood flow to the nipple during the procedure, there is a chance it can die.

Thankfully, hers survived and she was able to have the second surgery to reconstruct her breasts.

This is where implants, usually the same size as the patient's original breasts, are inserted.

A stratisse, a piece of pig skin, is put over the implants to hold them in place, before the skin of the breast is pulled over and sewed back up.

After the procedure, Miss Wood spent the rest of the summer recovering at home.

At first she needed help to get out of bed, was unable to even tie up her hair or lift anything heavier than a bag of sugar.

She said: 'After the operation I had two drains on either side of me. My boobs were completely covered up with medical tape - I didn't see them for 12 days.

'For a while it's just impractical to do anything. You can't get wet so I had to get my friend to help me wash my hair and get dressed. There's absolutely no privacy. It's a good job I have good friends.

'I decided to take photographs and blog about my experiences so that other young women in my position get an insight into the realities of the operation. It has been a difficult couple of months but I wouldn't change any of it.

'The recovery was painful and impractical, but I don't regret it for one second. The surgery could have saved my life and I am now looking towards the future.'

Since her operation, Miss Wood has launched a new business, making and selling bags for women to carry their drains in after a mastectomy

Miss Wood, pictured with boyfriend Tom, said: 'Being told you have the BRCA1 gene is terrifying, but it doesn't have to be the end of the world. I prefer my boobs now, they're pert and symmetrical - they're amazing'

She added: 'I would like to have children, but I am hoping medicine advances by the time I have children that they could someway not get the gene.

'Being told you have the BRCA1 gene is terrifying, but it doesn't have to be the end of the world. I prefer my boobs now, they're pert and symmetrical - they're amazing.'

Since her operation, Miss Wood has launched a new business, making and selling bags for women to carry their drains in after a mastectomy.

I prefer my boobs now, they're pert and symmetrical - they're amazing Charley Wood, 26

Miss Wood said: 'I came up with the idea for Drain Dollies straight after my operation.

'When you come out of theatre you have these drains attached to you, and you just have to carry them around with you, the hospital don't give you anything to put them in, so I chose my own fabric and started making bags.

'I am donating 10 per cent of the money from the sales to Genesis, a local charity which is dedicated to breast cancer prevention.'

Dr Gareth Evans of Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention and St Mary's Hospital in Manchester, said t while a double mastectomy might be appropriate for some women, there are other courses of treatment available.

He said: 'High-profile cases [such as Angelina Jolie] often mean that more women are inclined to contact genetic testing centers - and other family history clinics - so that they can be tested for the mutation early and take the necessary steps to prevent themselves from developing the disease.

'Of course, in some cases this may mean a risk-reducing mastectomy.

'However cancer preventing drugs, such as tamoxifen, and certain lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and more exercise, are also options which many women may consider.'