Your Stories
-
Charlie Morgan: Tits up! Finding the positive in a BRCA mutation
When Charlie was diagnosed with a BRCA2 mutation aged 20, she wanted to find and connect with other younger women who understood what she was going though and the options that lay ahead. Charlie shares her story and the experiences that led her to create the supportive community The BRCA Project.
-
Gift Hamisi: "We don’t often hear the stories of people who have tested negative, that is why I share mine"
Back in 2018, Gift was awaiting the results of a BRCA gene test, which would tell her whether or not she had inherited the same genetic mutation as her mother and a heightened risk of cancer. Almost two years on, Gift shares what happened next
-
Liz Driver: "The thing that upsets me the most is the general lack of interest in boys having the gene mutation."
Liz, a 48 year old married mum of two wonderful young men describes her experience of finding out she carries a BRCA2 gene mutation.
-
Jordan Gregory: "It has meant such sadness with the loss of my mum, however, it has given me a drive to live my life to the full"
Since losing his mum, Jordan has been on a mission to raise awareness of BRCA mutations and the fact that men are affected by this too.
-
Deborah Ward-Johnstone: "Realising what’s valuable in life has pushed me to create adventures"
Diagnosed with bowel cancer at 29, Deborah was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome. She shares how her mindset changed since finding out about the mutation. -
Wendy Greaves: "Three months later I received a positive diagnosis for Lynch syndrome"
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer aged 43 and with a family history of bowel cancer, a specialist recommended Wendy for a Lynch syndrome screening. -
Beth West: "In a way I have been given a golden ticket"
After their mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Beth and her sister found out they carry the BRCA2 gene, increasing their risk of developing the disease. -
Emily Jackson: "Due to my mum having had breast and ovarian cancer, I knew the symptoms to look out for."
Mum of two Emily Jackson shares her story, from finding out about her BRCA status to an ovarian cancer diagnosis, aged just 28. -
Tina Wright: "Cancer doesn't need to be a death sentence"
Tina's ovarian cancer recently returned having been diagnosed 9 years ago. She urges women not to be scared of seeking the information or help they need.
-
Rebecca Nutley: "I now have this knowledge that I can pass onto my family"
After her mother was diagnosed with cancer three times, Rebecca discovered she and her brother carried the BRCA1 gene mutation, increasing their chances of developing it too. Rebecca had a preventive double mastectomy aged 26 to reduce her risk of breast cancer.
-
Gift Hamisi: "Educate yourself on your family history and learn to listen to your body"
Five years after losing her mother to ovarian cancer, Gift was shocked to learn that her grandmother had also been diagnosed with the disease. Gift is currently awaiting the results of her BRCA test and wants to use her voice to encourage other women to understand their family history and the prevention options available to them.
-
Natasha Cantor
Natasha has Lynch Syndrome, a genetic mutation which is linked to an increased risk of a number of different cancers. She tells us about her own family history, and why knowing her genetic status has allowed her to feel more in control.
-
Rachel Firmin: ""I only wish my mum could've been able to make the same choice"
Rachel pushed for genetic testing after losing her mum to breast cancer and discovered that she was BRCA2+. She shares her story.
-
Jo Stanford: "My risk of breast cancer has gone down from 87% to under 5%"
OCA Cancer Prevention Officer Jo is our resident expert on all BRCA-related issues. She shares the pain of losing her beloved Mum to ovarian cancer and how genetic testing has enabled her to take control of her own future.
-
Katie Mumford: "I think about my risk of ovarian cancer, and the lack of screening available, every single day"
When Katie discovered she was BRCA2 positive, she knew immediately that she wanted to have preventative breast surgery to reduce her risk of breast cancer. However, the decision about when to remove her ovaries and the implications of doing so is proving to be more emotionally complex.
-
Sam Schinkel: "I knew about my high risk so I could do something about it"
After Sam's father was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2013 and tested positively for the BRCA gene mutation, Sam and her brother also decided to get tested.
-
Laura Roberts: "I still find that most people are surprised I got the genetic mutation from my dad"
Laura Roberts is 39 and has a BRCA1 mutation. She found out she was BRCA1+ about 14 years ago when she was tested for the gene at the Royal Marsden hospital in London.
-
Aimi Munro
Aimi describes the life-changing decisions she has had to face since discovering she is a BRCA1 carrier
-
Carrie Sellings
Carrie's aunt Sonia was 47 when she passed away in 2014, after being diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian Cancer in 2010.
-
Emilie Woodman: "This was the first time in my life that someone had mentioned the connection between breast and ovarian cancer."
Emilie always knew it was a possibility that she might have the BRCA gene mutation as her mother and grandmother had both died from early onset breast cancer.