Megan Thomas

By Previve on October 22, 2010 | Category: Previvor Stories | No Comments

My name is Megan, I am 24 years old, and am a BRCA1 carrier.  When I was 12 my Nanny past away from Ovarian Cancer, through those 12 yrs I had watched her fight breast cancer on and off. There were a few times where she was put into the intensive care unit, and was told she would not make it. Two out of the three times they were wrong.

My Nanny was a true fighter in every sense of the word. She developed breast cancer at 42 years of age, and when it looked like she was in the clear the cancer kept returning, but she never gave up fighting. It wasn’t until the age of 62, when Ovarian Cancer took her life.  Before she past my Nanny was asked to be tested for the BRCA gene mutations, due to how aggressive the cancer had been.  She tested positive for the BRCA1 mutation, along with her Daughter, and my Father.  I should also add that many of my Nanny’s sisters developed breast cancer, and were positive. As well, that my second cousin at 32 was diagnosed with breast cancer and again was positive. My Aunt within a year of her finding out underwent preventative surgery for both breast and ovarian cancer. I have 3 cousins, and 2 younger brothers. I am the only one as of right now to know of my BRCA1 status, mainly because I am the second oldest. I opted to be tested when I was 18 years old. I wanted to know so very much, if what was in the cards for me was similar to my Nanny.  It sounds silly, but I knew I was going to be positive so when they told me I was not shocked. It was just one of those gut feelings.  I have handled my BRCA1 status very well, I truly think knowing about this gene is a gift. So many women will never know of their breast cancer risk, or fate. However, I feel I am lucky enough to know. Therefore it was important for me to use that knowledge as power.  My Nanny found out about the gene to ensure her children, and grandchildren would hopefully never have to face what she did for so many years.

From the age of 18 I began going to specialists for yearly breast exams, and then at 20 I began internal ultrasounds for ovarian cancer, and MRI’s and Mammograms for breast cancer.  I have to tell you, none of those things are fun..And when I was 23 I decided I could not go through the next 5,10,20 years going to those tests, waiting, and worrying for those dreadful words “It’s Cancer” .  Another thing that really helped to make my decision to have a preventative mastectomy was when I was at the Run for the Cure a year ago. These two little girls were carrying a sign that read “Mum, would have been walking with us if there was a cure”.. It broke my heart, but it also really hit me, it was a huge wake-up call.  I had the power, and knowledge to ensure as much as possible that my children will never have to lose their Mum to breast cancer, to ensure my children would never have to carry a sign like that. Why would I not do everything I could to make that happen?  I felt that it was a responsibility to me, my Nanny for finding out, and to my future family to do whatever I could to lower my risks of breast cancer.  After speaking to women who have had breast cancer, or who are currently fighting it and having them tell me that if they had of known it was coming they would have had the surgery and done whatever they could to prevent the disease.. it further confirmed my decision that much more.  I was lucky enough to be given a choice, a choice that not a lot of women are given… I could sit around and wait for breast cancer to strike or I could take control of my life, and kick breast cancer in the butt before it had a chance to get me.  So on April 13^th 2010 I had a Nipple Sparing Prophylactic Bilateral Mastectomy with Immediate Reconstruction.  I can tell you the relief I felt after the surgery, and still to this day is huge. I lowered my risk from 87% to a 2-4% chance..It is so empowering.  I know my Nanny is so happy for me, and was by my side through this entire process with a big grin on her face!!  If you’d like to read more about my story, and experiences I have created a blog beginning this past April to present day.  On it I share my experiences, and photos through the entire process.  If you are in the decision making process take a look at my blog, I hope it will help to show you that the surgery is not as terrible as it seems, and that the results can be pretty amazing.

My blog —  http://goodbyebrcafate.blogspot.com/