NEW! - Past Model Updates

What have you been up to since we last saw you?

Ooooh, so much! Since the shoot I've had a second preventative mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction, which went very well and I am happy with the results. Still a bit of work to do, but all is good. I'm back at work and still in London. Life is good. I adore cricket and have been lucky enough to have been sent loads of goodies from the Ashes Series in Australia – lots of bits and bobs from the 4th test that was turned pink in aid of the McGrath foundation. The pink suit that the commentators wore screen has been signed for me and I am delighted to be donating it to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. I was also given a cap signed by Glen McGrath! I have also been to the amazing fashion show put on by Keeping Abreast in Norwich to watch my good friend walk the catwalk again!

Any nice trips away, exciting adventures?

I’ve been very lucky recently and had some great holidays! I went over to the West Indies for 2 weeks the summer after my shoot and have since been to Slovenia a couple of times (my parents live there) and was very happy to be back Snowboarding this year in Austria and Switzerland.

Are you still working for Sky?

I went back to work full time a year and a half ago and was promoted about 6 months later. I am still at Sky Sports and am now a Production Manager on Premiership football. I love my job and spend most of my time travelling up and down the country to football games!

How did you find being a model for Nicola Jane?

It was a fantastic experience and a day that I think about very often. It gave me a lot of strength and courage to face my reconstruction op a few months later as I had the memories of a wonderful day to see me through. I’m so proud I did it and show people all the time. I also love to show off the photos of me with no hair – as since it’s grown back people don’t believe that I was bald!

How did you find being a model for BCC?

I applied to be a model in the Breast Cancer Care fashion show last year and was over the moon to be accepted. The show is an amazing experience and I had the most amazing day. I also met some wonderful women who I have become very close to. The day was a whirlwind of hair, make-up, clothes, music and laughing. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of applying.

Did you enjoy being on TV with QVC and your interview on ‘my breasts could kill me’? Were you nervous?

I was very nervous about ‘My Breast Could Kill Me’ as it was the first time I had really spoken to anyone outside of my family and friends about my experiences. I find it much harder to talk about things now, with almost 3 years distance than I did at the time. I thought the programme was very good and my interview fitted in very well in the narrative. I was very happy that I was filmed having a fitting at the Nicola Jane London Store – but was a bit shocked that they showed a lot more of me than I was expecting!

QVC was a dream come true as I wrote my university dissertation on shopping channels and it has always been an ambition of mine to be a presenter on shopping television! I was surprisingly relaxed and had an absolute ball! The evening raised a lot of money for BCC and was such a pleasure to take part in!

Have you met any one famous recently?

I met Matt Cardle and Rebecca from X Factor recently at Twickenham! Both lovely!

How has your treatment progressed? How are you feeling now?

I feel great and am nearly back to my old self, with a few improvements! I find taking Tamoxifen and Zoladex and bit of a strain, especially the hot flushes, but needs must!

Do you have any advice to ladies who have just been diagnosed?

It’s is definitely not a life sentence. People approach diagnosis and treatment in very different way and my way was always to see the most positive side of everything and focus on getting better and look to the future. I am also very open about what happened to me and am happy to talk about it to anyone. I know many women and men can find this hard, but you have to find your own way through. I was lucky enough to meet some fabulous women to support me after the fact and wish I had met them at the beginning. I think that talking about Breast Cancer makes it way less scary for me and for other people. I would advise getting in touch with BCC on the phone or internet or joining a support group like the fabulous Keeping Abreast in Norwich. You are not alone.

Looking back do you think your outlook has changed since having breast cancer? How do you think breast cancer has affected you?

I am definitely a whole lot more confident. I know my body and mind better than ever before and have accepted who I am. I don’t let the little things stress me out, I try not to say no to any new experience (within reason!) and I laugh every day no matter how dark it may seem. I have a whole other level of respect and love for my family and friends. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Breast Cancer and am proof positive that there can be a positive outcome. Follow me on Twitter - @lizfawn

I have found these links useful www.breastcancercare.org.uk, www.breakthrough.org.uk, www.keepingabreast.org.uk

Liz has recently reviewed some of our new bras and swimwear. You can read her reviews on our blog http://nicolajane-mastectomywear.blogspot.com/2011/04/lizs-reviews.html