It's all in the genes....

I just returned from Chicago because at the age of sixty-three my mother had surgery to remove her ovaries.  She had no choice because they would have killed her.  My mother is a 30 year breast cancer survivor.  Like me, she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma at the age of 33.  Like me, she is BRCA1 positive.  She made a brave decision to remove her ovaries because carrying the BRCA1 gene almost guarantees that she will get ovarian cancer.  My mother made the decision to remove her ovaries before they tried to kill her.  I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason.

Try to follow me, my paternal grandfather died of stomach cancer at the age of 55.  His daughter (my mother) was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33.  His granddaughter (me) was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33.  When my mother was diagnosed, not much was known about the BRCA genes and she was never tested.  I was immediately tested for the gene after my diagnosis and I am positive.  I carry the BRCA1 gene.  Because of my diagnosis and testing, we traced the gene back to my grandfather.  We got my mom tested and she removed her ovaries.  Without my diagnosis, we would not know about the gene and my mother would have gotten ovarian cancer.  As I tell my mother, I saved her life!  Yeah, she doesn't buy it either.

The BRCA gene is a mutation.  The general population has a 7% chance of getting breast cancer in their lifetime.  A person with a BRCA gene mutation has an 87% chance of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.  The general population has less than a 1% risk of ovarian cancer.  The BRCA carrier has a 64% chance of receiving a diagnosis of ovarian cancer in her lifetime.  The gene is not kind to men either; increasing their risk of prostate, pancreatic and breast cancer.  With these odds, it is imperative that you know your family history and the possibility of the BRCA gene being present.

I am sure many of you are reading this and thinking of my three yahoo's.

It is my daily battle.  I have moments where I cry uncontrollably thinking about our future.  I have moments where I think, this is going to be my legacy to my grandchildren, great grandchildren.  How could I do this to them?  Here's the thing, it is done.  Each of them have a 50/50 chance.  I could get lucky and none of them carry the gene.  (Please God, let this be) All three could be carriers, one of them, two of them.  I can worry everyday, but it is done.  They are here and they either have the gene or they don't.  I am gathering information for them daily.  I have stories of brave women who chose to remove their breasts.  I have stories of women who chose to be diligent and pray they are the 13% that does not get breast cancer.  All I can do, as a mother, is provide them with the information and let them make decisions that are best for them.  I am a six year survivor.  I am blessed with three beautiful children and if their genes betray them; I will be here to support them.

The thing is that I have knowledge and know what I am up against.  Look into your family history.  Ask questions and make sure that the BRCA gene did not infiltrate your family genes.  Knowledge is power.  We can do things like remove our ovaries.  We can take steps to ensure that we stay one step ahead of this dreaded disease!