It’s in the Family - What exactly is BRCA2? The process of genetic testing and how to assess your own risk.
Since I started sharing my journey, I’ve had lots of questions about how exactly I found out I had a genetic mutation. I’ve previously touched on it briefly, but here it is in greater detail. I will explain exactly how I know, and how I confirmed my diagnosis. Furthermore, I have something very exciting to share to help you assess your own risk. Hereditary cancer can run in families, and the increased cancer risks can be passed down from either of your parents. It occurs when you inherit a mutation or a change in a gene that would usually protect your body from cancer. A mutation of one of the protective genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 leads to significantly higher cancer risks in both females and males. If you carry a mutated protective gene such as mine (BRCA2) you have a 50% risk of passing it on to your children, subsequently causing them to carry the same increased risks. I’ve written before about my mum having breast cancer when I was much younger and I talk about this