Lauren’s story

At age 31, on 31st August 2016, a fit and feisty Lauren Mahon (aka Lozza) was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Given that her boobs were more of a goodwill gesture than anything resembling actual tits, she assumed this was the universe’s idea of a joke.

But the aggressive 2.8cm ‘Grade 3’ lump that had set up residence in her right chesticle turned out not to be that funny. It sent life as she knew it into a tailspin.

Desperate for some advice, reassurance and carcinoma companionship, Lauren went looking for like-minded people who had faced the c-bomb… and came up short. Between doomsaying online communities and clinical materials aimed squarely at over-50s, she couldn’t find anything that spoke to her. At all.

So, grabbing her diagnosis by the boobs, she began sharing honest, unfiltered tales of her treatment under the banner of GIRLvsCANCER. Her aim? To tackle the cancer taboo, communicate the challenges of getting cancer as a young adult, and make a space where her peers would feel empowered to talk about it too.

Unable to work during her treatment, Lauren masterminded the TIT-TEES – a range of cheeky slogan t-shirts emblazoned with breast-based metaphors. These served as a means of financial survival and helped raise awareness and funds for the charities who helped her.

Since its humble beginnings, GIRLvsCANCER has grown from an emotional outlet to an established community supporting those touched by the tumorous little twat, and beyond.

Lauren continues to work hard every day to change the way people perceive cancer and open a dialogue on this sensitive subject. She is a co-host of the award-winning You, Me and The Big C podcast (ARIAS Gold Award Best New Show, TRIC Podcast of The Year) and has earned a whole host of shiny accolades including Stylist’s Remarkable Women Triumph, BBC’s 100 Women, Webby’s People’s Voice and Future Dream’s Humanitarian Award.

You can usually find her putting the world to rights in her native East London. You’ll hear her before you see her. Swearing, no doubt.