[ad_1]
I was five years old when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, the disease did not take his life. But after she got sick, I knew I had to pay attention to cancer.
Growing up, it was not something that occupied my daily thoughts. And it stayed that way until the late twenties, when I decided to remove my breasts and then my fallopian tubes.
How did I get there?
It all started when I was 20 years old and my gynecologist found a mass in my chest. Knowing my medical history, my doctor wanted to do a biopsy of the mass to confirm that it was not cancerous. (Fortunately, that was not the case.) After getting the results, she asked me if my mother had been "tested for the gene" and I thought: Which gene? Until then, I had never heard of BRCA1 or BRCA2, two mutations in the gene that increase the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Learn that I was at risk
After this appointment, I spoke with my mother. She told me that she did not have a BRCA1 mutation, but she did not know if she had BRCA2. (In the early 1990s, when she was tested, they were not aware of BRCA2.) My doctor asked her to be tested, and the test was positive. So I got tested and I also came back positive.
When I heard the news, I knew it was not good news. But the doctor did not explain in detail how the mutation would increase my chances of getting breast and ovarian cancer. She just told me that I should start having a mammogram before turning 30. Since I was only 20 years old and I was studying photography and living in New York, I was not really paying attention to the results at that time.
Decide to undergo a double mastectomy
Fast forward eight years. I was 28 years old and I was about to move from New York to Chicago. I had not been to the doctor for a while, so I thought I would have all my follow-up exams before packing for the Midwest.
I saw a new primary care doctor who reviewed my file and told him, "Okay, you have BRCA2, what did you do about it?" When was your last mammogram? "And I was like, Never! I did not do anything! She told me to meet a breast specialist immediately. This time, I understood the urgency, that's exactly what I did.
After reviewing the family history and discussing with my mother, the breast specialist told me that the risk of developing breast cancer was about 85%. She then proposed two choices: I could have a follow-up every three to six months, which included ultrasound, MRI and mammograms, or I could undergo a double preventive mastectomy with reconstruction.
Passing tests every two or three months seemed to be a source of additional anxiety. I decided to do double mastectomy because it seemed like a faster way to continue my life. I also asked the doctor to remove my nipples and my breasts because there was a chance that cancer would appear in this little piece of tissue.
Between the time I made that decision and the time I was operated on, I felt really stressed. But when I woke up after the operation, I had the impression that the burden had been lifted. Suddenly, I knew that the risk of breast cancer was very low.
Life after my mastectomy
My breast reconstruction and recovery took six months. I had an infection with one of my expander – what they put after a mastectomy before you got an implant – which brought me back to the hospital after the operation.
During my half year of surgeries and healings, I connected via Instagram to one of the co-founders of a group that became Breasts, a community for women who have been affected by breast and reproductive cancers. I really got involved with them and it was amazing.
We meet every month. It's very nice to be with people who understand what I experienced and who know what cancer is. Even though I have never had cancer, I have been a resource for so many women and I find it fulfilling. I'm happy to be there for people who just need to sit at my kitchen table and cry, or go out and not think about it at all.
Why did I remove my fallopian tubes
As a person with BRCA2, I have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. One of my friends from The Breasties told me that this cancer often started with the fallopian tubes. Removing them was therefore a preventive measure that could reduce my risk.
She even gave me the name of a great gynecological oncologist at Cedars-Sinai who could talk to me about it. I had already undergone several major surgeries, so when she told me that salpingectomy – the technical name of the operation – required three small incisions, it looked like a chocolate walk. My recovery time was minimal: I lay on the couch and let people walk my dog over the weekend, and I usually felt good after!
My doctor explained to me that since I was only 30 years old, I should not have my ovaries removed for the moment. The medical community recommends that you keep them for at least 45 years, for all sorts of hormonal reasons. So, as long as I can keep them, I have to be monitored every six months. It means going to the hospital with a full bladder so that they can do an ultrasound. During this procedure, they placed a camera wand in my vagina to look around and take pictures.
I may have more chances of getting ovarian cancer, but it is not as high as someone with BRCA1. I think it makes me feel a little better. In addition, I stay in touch with my doctors and I know what I am supposed to look for. I know that I do everything I can.
My advice to other women
If you are concerned about your cancer risk, see a doctor. If you discover that you have BRCA1 or BRCA2, it is important to start at least monitoring, even if you are not ready to take drastic measures yet. I know it's scary, but early detection saves lives.
The decisions we all make about cancer prevention or treatment are truly personal. I was fortunate to be able, in my life, to be able to follow my desire to do it. I know that not everyone can do that and everyone does not feel ready.
And if you're scared, it's okay. It's scary. But there are other people who have gone through and to whom you can turn. Whether it's about acquiring more knowledge or understanding your options and then taking them back, I think it's wiser to do something than anything.
Keep up-to-date with the latest scientific news on health, fitness and nutrition by subscribing to the Prevention.com newsletter. right here. For more fun, follow us on Instagram.
[ad_2]
Source link