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It’s in the Family - What exactly is BRCA2? The process of genetic testing and how to assess your own risk.

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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
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The emotional impact of being diagnosed with a genetic mutation

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It’s been a couple of months now since my BRCA story was first published by Ovarian Cancer Action. The response was amazing and to my surprise I had so many comments and messages asking to hear more. One of the biggest questions asked was "how do you feel?” and “how do you cope?”. So... this is how I feel. This is the mental and emotional side of being diagnosed with a genetic mutation.  This post has taken me 6 weeks to draft. I thought I had myself sussed however when I put pen to paper, it’s actually been very difficult to order my thoughts and my feelings in a chronological order let alone in depth. However, I must say it has been very therapeutic and I now understand more about how I felt in them first few months and perhaps why. Since the first day I was told that I had a 50% chance of carrying a BRCA mutation I have felt every feeling under the sun. Fear, devastation, positivity, negativity but ultimately empowerment.  My first post was very positive and
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The greatest gift in disguise.

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My name is Jess, I am 24 years old living in Essex with my fiancé, Sean. I am a nurse by profession and I am what you may describe as your ‘average’ 24 year old - there is nothing I love more than my yearly trips to Marbella and a good girls night out! I have an approximate 87%  lifetime chance of getting breast cancer and also a significantly increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. I carry the BRCA2 genetic mutation. So I will start from the beginning. My mother had breast cancer when I was a teenager and I remember vividly how she battled the dreadful disease with immense positivity and courage. Thankfully, we were lucky and after intense chemotherapy , radiotherapy and a mastectomy, mum was given the all clear. Because of this I was always very aware of breast cancer from a young age and I was exposed to meeting many women battling this awful disease, some surviving and sadly some not. However, one thing that always reassured me was that my mothers cancer was not gen
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