My mom had breast cancer, I was 11 years old. She then developed metastasized ovarian cancer. At 22, I discovered that I carry the BRCA1 mutation, so I began regular monitoring. My mom died at age 57 after almost 20 years of fighting. I decided to have preventive breast surgery after breastfeeding my second son, but unfortunately, I discovered a lump while I was still breastfeeding him. Triple negative breast cancer at age 32. Chemotherapy, removal of both breasts, reconstructions, rays.
I am currently in remission and am getting back to my life as before. I find it even more beautiful. I know that everything can stop very quickly so I am enjoying at the maximum my sons, my husband, my family, my friends, my life.
I will be 35 this year and the question of removing my ovaries comes up. I am torn between the fear of following the same path as my mother and the effects of menopause at such an early age. I’ll give myself a few more months to think about it. I am happy that a platform like BRCA network can exist, sharing between peers is essential because knowledge is power.
BRCA network asbl/vzw
