Testimonials

My mother had breast cancer. There was never any indication to think that it might be a genetic type of cancer as there was no known history of cancer in the family.

My mom went through many treatments and for 6 years her life was rather bearable – she could enjoy her life, do most things not particularly disturbed by the treatments. There were ups and downs, small metastasis to lungs, to liver, to lymph nodes, some treatments that weren’t working but still, physically she was doing well and it seemed that she would live for long. The last year was however hectic. Metastatic cancer to the brain, which was the first big hit in 2022. She was recovering slowly and it wasn’t the same anymore. And then after months, when it started being better, a second and final hit- metastasis to the liver. Untreatable. She had one month left that we spent together even though it seemed so surreal to have only a few weeks left with her.

During 2022, as every next treatment was failing, the doctor suggested a genetic test to open possibilities. It’s when she learned that it was a genetic cancer. It opened a door, we were very hopeful but even that treatment did not stand a chance.

I was invited to do a genetic test, together with my sister, after my mom got her results.

We waited 2 months to get the results and then, they told us that we’re both BRCA2 carriers. Unlucky… but it was somehow comforting to have to go through it together.

At the time, it wasn’t a priority as we were focused on our mom. I thought that I would still have time to think about preventions but after the consultations with the doctors, I understood that there’s no point in waiting and the preventive mastectomy should be done as soon as possible. I scheduled the surgery during 2023 for January 2024. My sister, who is 3 years older, went first, she had it in July 2023, I wanted to wait a bit longer.

I had the comfort of having my sister around, of having seen what she went through but still, some parts of this, you can’t be prepared enough. I opted for a mastectomy with natural reconstruction (diep flap) (…) All in all, I’m glad to have done the surgery. It removes the biggest fear – the one of cancer. There are other treatments and exams that still await me but I guess this one was the most urgent.