#14 Girl Vs. Cancer Lauren Mahon: How Cancer At 31 Changes Your Life

"Cancer has made my life richer. I've used the fear as a tailwind to live bigger. It's taken away the fear of doing what I want to do. It's made me just want to live my life the best I can. Rather than just sitting there and having an idea, I now have the idea and send the email or I send the text or I investigate. I don't sit on it, I work out how to make it happen. Since being diagnosed with cancer, I know there is no point waiting until tomorrow."

My guest this episode is Blogger, Podcaster and Breast Cancer Survivor, Lauren Mahon.

Born and bred in London, Lauren says she was the ”bossy one” growing up. After developing an interest in media at college, Lauren went on to study Fashion Marketing at London College of Fashion.

After graduating, she spent almost a decade forging a successful career in Fashion Digital Marketing, working for brands such as Radley, Warehouse and BHS – all the while flexing her creative muscles writing her blog Girl Stole London.

In August 2016, Lauren’s life changed forever when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31\. The day after her diagnosis all the threads of her career came together as she created a range of t-shirts designed to not only raise awareness but also provide a source of income throughout her treatment.

Determined to give cancer the middle finger, Lauren started giving voice to her experience using the hashtag GirlVSCancer, creating a community for, in her words, “badass woman making cancer their bitch.” Lauren was given the all-clear two years later, during which time she started co-hosting the award-winning BBC 5 Live podcast ‘You, Me and the Big C’.

While cancer is something she wishes never has to experience, Lauren says she has found her ‘purpose’ and can’t wait to keep growing Girl Vs. Cancer.

Lauren's story is nothing short of inspirational.

We talked all about growing up, the indecision she felt around university and job-hopping in her twenties, what it was like being diagnosed with breast cancer aged 31 - and how this experience has changed the trajectory of her life.

Give this episode a listen and I can guarantee you will not only be offered a fresh perspective on life, but you'll also want to be best mates with this legend.

**Follow me:**

Twitter: [@katiephilo](http://www.twitter.com/katiephilo)

Instagram: [@katiephilo](https://www.instagram.com/katiephilo)

[www.katiephilo.com](https://www.katiephilo.com)

**Follow Lauren: **

Twitter: [@girlstolelondon](https://twitter.com/GIRLSTOLELONDON)

Instagram:

[@girlstolelondon](https://www.instagram.com/girlstolelondon/)

[@girlvscancer](https://www.instagram.com/girlvscancer/)

[www.girlvscancer.co.uk](https://girlvscancer.co.uk)