It's in the family

The problem with having a genetic cancer risk is that, well, it is genetic and therefore in the family. For many, by the time they are diagnosed with the BRCA gene mutation their lives have already been touched by breast or ovarian cancer.  

For me the first time I thought about breast cancer was when my half-sister Melissa was diagnosed at just 30 back in 2010. A year later, at just 48, my Mum was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer after finding two lumps in her breast.

Looking back on the period that my Mum was suffering, all I can remember is a blur of chemotherapy appointments and hospital visits. Surprisingly I also remember a lot of laughter as we tried to keep spirits up and I have a hilarious picture of my baby niece wearing my mum’s long dark wig.

One thing that I do not remember however is the word ‘genetic’ as the doctors never suggested their cancers could be linked. Breast cancer is now unfortunately a common disease with 1 in 8 UK women being diagnosed in their lifetime so too often it is seen as ‘bad luck’ and not because of a genetic predisposition.

Both beautiful brave ladies are both now in remission from the illness but it wasn’t until four years after Melissa was tested that we even heard the phrase ‘BRCA’. That is four years that we were unaware of the risk we all had of developing breast cancer. It also means that both Melissa and my Mum have been left with one healthy but at risk breast and face further decisions about their future. Very unfair given the extent of surgery and treatment they’ve both already endured. 

Fast-forward to today and we know that Melissa, my Mum, my younger sister Charlotte and myself all carry the BRCA2 gene mutation.

I’ve spoken a lot about how I’m handling the news and my risk. I’m going full steam ahead with a full double mastectomy and I’m trying to raise as much awareness as I can along the way. BUT I am not saying that is the only or even the best way to deal with the situation; it is just what works best for me. I wanted to talk a little about my Sister Charlotte to give another perspective to the story.

Charlotte is now 24 and found out that she had the BRCA2 mutation a couple of weeks before I found out my news. She was very much the force behind arranging testing for her and I, after we found out our Mum tested positive. She handled the news amazingly and seeing my younger sister be so strong really helped me to be strong about both her news and my own news.

Charlotte has two lovely kiddies, my niece Lillie (5) and my nephew Josh (2) and her focus has always been very much about her young family. I know that she wanted to find out her risk to ensure she can pro-long her life for the children and know more about the genes she may have passed down to them.

She has been through a lot of the same counselling sessions, meetings and appointments that I have and has decided to postpone her surgery until 2016/2017 as she would just struggle too much to look after the kids (especially a very boisterous toddler) at the same time as under-going major surgery. At 24 she is also very young meaning her risk is lower at present (it increases with age).

 Her surgery will also differ greatly to mine. She has decided to opt for the TRAM flap reconstruction that means that her breasts will be reconstructed from abdominal tissue. The surgery can be a much more serious operation as it means there are two wound sites but can provide a much more natural feel and shape to the breasts

I know that in the future she plans to be very open with Lillie and Josh about the genetic risk and very supportive if either want to be tested for the gene mutation when they’re older. For now though she is putting all thoughts of surgery on the back burner and concentrating on family life. She has been very open with friends and family about the diagnoses but hasn’t been very vocal about it to a wider audience, which I completely respect.

As for me, I have now completed my pre-surgery assessment and been approved for surgery. My operation will likely take place in October although an actual date is yet to be confirmed.

I’ll also be taking part in Tough Mudder on September the 27^th to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Care. If anyone could spare a little to sponsor me it would mean the world to me: https://www.justgiving.com/Killer-boobs

Hopefully next time you here from me I’ll have a date to have these killer boobs removed!

With love, Katie