I did genetic testing back in 2005 by my mom’s oncologist to see if I carried the same BRAC1 gene that caused her stage 4 breast cancer. I remember my mom asking me if I wanted to know/have the test and during my naive early 20’s I remember thinking how tough I was and, sure, why not know, what difference will it make?!? At this time, this type of testing was not approved nor supported by insurance companies so my mom paid the $3000 to have it done anonymously. I didn’t, at that point know the true depth of what this knowledge would do to me. My sister on the other hand did not choose to do the testing until much later on. I had the testing done and it came back that I was indeed BRAC 1 positive which basically puts me at a high percentage of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer compared to a woman who has not tested positive with the gene (roughly 87% or higher for breast cancer development and 44% for ovarian cancer).
When I got the news I can’t say it really phased me; I think I always knew that was a possibility. I even went to see a breast specialist to get his professional opinion but that didn’t turn out too well. He basically told me, at the fragile age of 23, that it was time for me to get married, have babies and have my breasts removed and to start considering a total hysterectomy. Not what you want to hear! I kindly informed him that I didn’t even have a boyfriend, let alone, was I even dating. I remember going home and crying because I was so distraught. Not the best approach doc! Needless to say, I never went back to see him again.
I was pretty much scarred after that and put the idea of preventative surgery out of my mind, hoping that God wouldn’t allow that to happen to me or if he did, that I would survive it. I was content with my yearly check ups and didn’t worry much about it. Well, that all changed in the last few months. Here is what happened: there was a news anchor, Amy Robach, who found out on live TV that she had breast cancer. Later she was featured in a magazine article that chronicled her struggle to rid her body of the cancer. Her body took a beating and that scared me. A few months later I saw a post on Facebook about a woman named Beth Whaanga, who lost 103 friends for posting a photo of her body, post cancer removal surgery. Let me just say, that picture and both women’s stories scared the crap out of me. I started asking my mom to relive her surgery experience to keep me informed. I realized at that very moment that I would do whatever it took to keep cancer from attacking/invading my body.
These women and my mom didn’t have the chance to take any preventative measures, per say, but I do. Before all this, the idea of having my breasts removed was the absolute farthest thought from my mind. I happen to be one who cares greatly about how she is perceived by others, even complete strangers. But after seeing and reading about these women’s struggles, I knew it was time to get serious.
I will go see my new breast specialist doctor next week on March 18th and will update again. I have 8,000 questions for her and I want to see before and after pictures and know exactly what I’m getting into. I know if I choose this surgery option I will never be able to breast feed my future babies. But I have succumb to the reality of the situation: bottle feed your babies or perhaps not be alive to breast feed your babies. What’s a girl to do?