A Life-Saving Decision: Taking Control Before Cancer Can

Cancer is a very scary word. Unfortunately, it touches the lives of so many. And it's because of this that I wanted to share something with you.

Hi, I'm Kristen, and I have a BRCA1 mutation. For people who have this mutation, there's more than a 60% chance that they could develop breast cancer. And with my very cancer-laden family history, it seems that my chances are pretty high.

What Can You Do if You Have a BRCA1 Mutation?

All of this to say that I am lucky that I don't have cancer right now, and I can do something for my health to help prevent getting it.

After long talks with multiple healthcare providers, I'm making the best choice I can for my health and well-being, and I am opting for a preventative double-mastectomy; removing both of my breasts.

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With the surgery, I'll be recovering for 4 - 6 weeks. And this will be the first of at least two surgeries, as I'm opting for reconstruction after tissue removal.

With the removal of as much breast tissue as possible, my chances of getting cancer go from more than 60% to around a 1% chance. And those are the odds I like better.

Cancer Sucks

I watched my mom, multiple aunts, and a cousin suffer through the physical, mental, and emotional pain of receiving a cancer diagnosis. They had to go through chemo, radiation, and surgeries to get better, and it was brutal.

Cancer sucks. And I am doing everything in my power to mitigate my risks of getting such a horrid disease.

I share this not to say "woe is me", but to encourage others to be proactive in their health. Please, do what you can to take care of yourself!