A WOMAN who underwent potentially life-saving surgery after genetic testing revealed she had a high risk of developing cancer is walking a marathon in her bra at the weekend.

Emma Munro, from Stevenage, will be dressing down for the MoonWalk in London on Saturday night as she puts a line under a traumatic year.

The 24-year-old found out this time last year that she had an 85 per cent chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer and 35-40 per cent chance of getting ovarian cancer after genetic screening revealed she had a rare gene.

“I was in complete shock when I found out and I didn’t really believe it,” said Emma, who works as a graphic designer.

“With illness it’s normally something you can see, so this was difficult to believe.”

Four months later Emma decided to have a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery using inflator implants for fear of developing breast cancer.

About the decision to have the seven-hour operation, she said: “I knew that if the testing for the gene was positive I could have surgery to get rid of my risk and hopefully live a long and healthy life, so when I found out I just said ‘let’s go for it’.”

After successful surgery Emma signed up for London’s MoonWalk, where participants can walk either 13.1 or 26.2 miles to help fund research into breast cancer.

The annual fundraising event where 17,000 people – all wearing bras – come together is organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, which also provides emotional and physical support for those living with the disease.

Emma will be completing 26.2 miles alongside her mum Jo and sister Olivia.

“My family have been amazing and I couldn’t have done it without them,” said Emma.

“My mum has been to every appointment with me and been so supportive. The MoonWalk is my chance to give something back and help beat breast cancer.”

To sponsor Emma, visit www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/emmamunro