If you’ve been following along our journey via social media, you may be wondering what’s up with all the travel back and forth to San Franciso. Well, I’m under the (preventative cancer) care of the University of California San Fransisco for a genetic mutation called BRCA1.
The genetic mutation I carry was classified as a “variant of uncertainty” back in 2013. My mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. The women in my extended family had genetic testing done to determine of all the women- who is carrying the genes to potentially develop breast or ovarian cancer? My mom had three sisters. Two out of the three were already deceased at the time as a result of having cancer. My mom’s last living sister and my cousin, who is the daughter of one of my deceased aunts, both tested negatives. I tested positive for what was determined at the time as “a variant of certainty”. The geneticist was able to tell me the mutation meant something; they just didn’t have enough data at the time to support a conclusive theory about what it was.
Fast forward to 2022 where cancer data, in my case- specific to hereditary ovarian and breast cancer has evolved to reflect a certainty in my once uncertain mutation to BRCA1. BRCA1 is the gene mutation carried in women who develop ovarian and breast cancer.
I met with a genetic counselor who discussed with me further the results of my tests and the implications of the data which are- preventative cancer care is effective and the best way to mitigate the misery and risk of developing cancer. Preventative cancer care was a new concept to me- the idea that you could potentially prevent certain cancer by removing the organs where it starts, mind blowing stuff. In my case, I have a series of preventative care procedures including the laparoscopic removal of my fallopian tubes, first up on the list. This is typically a procedure done after a womans 35th birthday, and only after she’s finished childbearing, as the procedure is irreversible.
I’m 31 but because of the BRCA1 mutation, I fall into a high enough risk category where preventative cancer care becomes beneficial. In a traditional scenario, the recommended procedure is a full hysterectomy which includes removal of the ovaries. Fun fact: It’s not recommended to remove the ovaries prior to a woman’s 35th birthday as the risk of developing heart disease increases- the ovaries produce hormones which offer some protection to the heart. In addition to heart disease, removing them too early will cause the body to go into early menopause- not fun stuff. So, that is why I will be having a series of procedures starting with just the fallopian tubes, which are where in a lot of cases, ovarian cancer develops.
I share my story with the intention of bringing awareness to preventative cancer treatment- especially in young women like myself. If your mom, aunt or grandma was diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer- talk to your gynecologist about having genetic testing done within your family in addition to regular cancer screening. Ovarian cancer in particular is known as a silent killer among women. The best cure is prevention.
My mom passed away in 2019 after a seven-year ovarian cancer battle. We didn’t have much of a mother daughter relationship, but she shared her cancer experience and the knowledge she gained- which enabled me to be proactive about navigating this gene mutation within my own family.
This was quite a few years’ worth of data summarized into a very compact format. I’m happy to expand on any of the above-mentioned topics via email or DM.
Love, Daley.