The 34-year-old carries the defective BRCA2 gene, an identified fault or mutation which is commonly linked to an increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer, or both. 

Jo inherited the gene from her mother, along with two of her sisters. BRCA gene mutations are genetic and if either one of the parents carry the gene, their child has a 50 per cent chance of inheriting the mutation.

Those with the gene have up to a 65 per cent risk of developing breast cancer, and up to 45 per cent risk of developing ovarian cancer, according to preventative health organisation Pink Hope.

To safeguard her future, Jo had a double mastectomy in April, and expanders were inserted in preparation for breast implants on September 1. She said the surgery went well and she was only in hospital over night.

“It was like a breeze compared to [the double mastectomy]; the pain. I think I was off the meds after three days,” Jo said.

Despite the success of the operation, she said she experienced “post-surgery blues”.

“I thought I knew what to expect but it was just difficult,” she said.

Jo said she had been apprehensive before the surgery because she “hadn’t had time to mentally prepare”. 

“About a week out it kind of dawned on me that I might not handle the outcome,” she said.

“Last time it was something temporary, and this time it’s permanent. It was like, ‘I’m going to have to live with this and love how I look’.

“Even though I didn’t do it for aesthetic reasons, it’s still something you have to get used to, a whole new body shape.”

The young mum returned to work a week after the surgery and said three weeks on, she was feeling a lot better.

“I sort of just jumped straight back into it,” she said.

“I think getting back into it is good for your mindset.

“You’re doing something. Your mind’s active.”

Jo is throwing her energy into final preparations for her Breast Wishes Ball, a celebration of the end of her journey and an opportunity to raise funds for Pink Hope.

The ball will be held on October 8 in Brisbane and will feature an auction, ambassadors Bronte and Cate Campbell, ex-Wallabies captain Nathan Sharpe, rugby union player Saia Faingaa, entertainment, and guest speaker Doctor Matthew Peters. 

Amidst the glitter of the celebratory event, Jo holds to a solid purpose – to prevent her eight-year-old daughter, Cameron, from having to make the same tough decisions about her body.

Jo sums it up in a post she wrote to Cameron on her Breast Wishes JOurney Facebook page - ‘I hope by the time you're old enough to understand this, breast and ovarian cancer is as easily defeated as the common cold. I hope that you'll see the reasons behind my efforts on my breast wishes journey project and be as proud to call me your Mum, as I am to call you my daughter.’