After both her mother and aunt died of breast cancer, the last thing Amanda Pound wanted to hear was that she had it too.

That was in 2005. She faced up to having a double mastectomy and today, after reconstructive surgery, is preparing to test a range of post-reconstructive underwear, launched by M&S.

Mrs Pound, 37, of Rochester Road, Aylesford, said: “My mum and her sister both died of breast cancer and two months later I noticed a discolouration on my right breast.

“It looked a bit red, like a raspberry and I just thought something was not quite right.

“The doctor thought it could be eczema, but I insisted on having a mammogram.”

When the results came back, Mrs Pound was told her right breast was fine, but she had a type of cancer called DCIS, Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, the same cancer as her mother, in her other breast, and a double mastectomy was recommended.

The better news was that she was in the care of breast surgeons and husband and wife Peter and Sue Jones, who describe themselves as “passionate breast conservationists”.

Mrs Jones, a consultant breast and oncoplastic breast surgeon, performs between 50-80 breast reconstructions a year.

Muscle was cut from Mrs Pound’s back to re-build her breasts. Mrs Jones also managed to line up any scars on Mrs Pound’s back so they would be covered by her bra straps.

Mrs Pound added: “Once they were reconstructed they were tattooed to give the impression of an areola around my nipples.

“Like many women I was totally unaware that reconstructive surgery existed.

“Now when I look at them I am reminded of my lucky escape. While I know they are not real, because the breast tissue has now gone, I am now back to the normal percentage of having any cancer return.

“My husband, Michael, also says the raspberry colour on the wrong breast must have been a sign from my mum to get myself checked out.”

Mr Jones, a consultant surgeon added: “We try to avoid mastectomies at all costs, often by treating with chemotherapy first.

“If they are unavoidable we discuss reconstructive surgery with a patient, which can be done immediately, or after radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

“It used to be just younger patients who had it, but we have seen some women over 70 opt to have the surgery.”

For other inspirational stories, see the Kent Messenger.