my
journey TO UNDERSTANDING (AND BEATING) THE BRCA2 GENE
On a random weeknight in February 2014, I found a lump. I was taking a shower before bed and—while I was not very keen on my monthly self-exams at that point—I felt something that wasn’t there before. A small, pinkish bump about the size of a pencil eraser had appeared almost overnight. I dropped my loofa and broke down in tears. I’m only 20! I can’t have cancer. What if it’s in my genes? Mom had cancer pop up out of nowhere. She was 43 though…It can’t be cancer…Could it be cancer? The lump turned out to a benign cyst that subsided over time, but that didn’t put an end to my worrying. My mom was diagnosed with Stage 3C Triple Negative Breast Cancer at 43, and we were all so shocked. I remember the day she sat me down—the day after my 16th birthday— and she told me the news. She didn’t yet know the details of how advanced her cancer had become. What if it’s in my genes? When will it strike? At 23, I received the results of my BRCA2 mutation. The genetic counselor and my doctor scheduled a surgery consult for a mastectomy. As a full-time graduate student, I couldn’t bring myself to consider this
14 Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly
option. However, the more tests I had and the more I learned about my family health history and the risks of my BRCA mutation, I understood my risk of cancer would gradually increase as each year passed. Statistically, I had a 90% chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer by age 70. So, What is BRCA? Pronounced “bra-kuh,” in most medical realms and support groups, BRCA stands for BReast CAncer susceptibility gene. We all have BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes; they are sort of like protectors against various types of cancer. But, when one gene is considered “mutated” (or in my case “deleterious”), the risk for cancer is higher than that of the general population. I am BRCA2+ (positive for a BRCA2 mutation) and have been diagnosed with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome—or HBOC. I’m sure my medical and science friends could better explain the details about BRCA1 and BRCA2, but I urge you to look over the ® Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered website to learn more. With each test, appointment and imaging IV, my anxiety and worry of “when will it happen to me?” grew. I found strength in reflecting on my mom’s diagnosis and her amazing fight, but it also brought great concern that one day it would sneak up on me like it did with her.
