We are honoured to share a lovely blog written by Jane, mum of our Trustee Katie, who’s BRCA journey began many years ago, but continues now, 25 years later as she supports Katie through her journey.

I had my mastectomy a quarter of a century ago, but I’ve never looked back… 

 Jane Ling

Breast cancer was part of my family’s story from as early as I can remember. I never met my maternal grandmother because she died of breast cancer at 58. Her mother before her had also died of a cancer, possibly stomach which could have been ovarian but that wasn’t fully known. Then my lovely mum, one of four sisters, lost her two elder ones to breast cancer and was herself diagnosed after me at the age of 65. One sister was never affected, but this was all before the discovery of the BRCA gene.  

 

My mum’s journey and mine were very different. Mum was 65 and had a lumpectomy; the cancer returned in the second breast 11 years later and was treated with a second lumpectomy. It did return again in the first breast 7 years later and mum had this breast removed. At the age of 83 she opted for a prosthesis.  

 

In 1996, I was 35 when diagnosed having found a lump during a pregnancy that was non-viable at 12 weeks. The GP downplayed it saying it was due to a pregnancy hormone, but I knew that my family history meant I had to push for a biopsy. The cancer was diagnosed, and I then had the BRCA test which confirmed that I carry the BRCA1. I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the same time. I felt wiped out and only fully regained my energy 6 months later.  

 

4 years later I decided to go for a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. The odds of the cancer returning in my second breast were too high.  

 

In the year 2000, I was an early pioneer in having a mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time. I loved my new boobs and when one implant ruptured and was replaced with a slightly different make, the slight lack of symmetry didn’t bother me. My next decision was to have an oophorectomy at 45. I felt I needed to take every insurance policy available.  

 

My implants served me well for 22 years. In 2022, an ultrasound showed that the implants were beginning to deteriorate slightly and so I opted for an implant replacement that same year. I love my new boobs even more. They’re symmetrical now! 

 

After 2022, we could say in fact it was at this time that my lovely only daughter, having discovered she too was a carrier, also planned a preventative mastectomy. Our surgeries were just 3 months apart. It was a very special time in both our lives and one through which we could fully support one another and take the positives from our shared situation. I am so very proud of her. 

 

BRCA is a part of who I am. Of course, I would have preferred not to have been dealt this particular card, but I count myself incredibly lucky to have lived through a time with so many fantastic advances in medical science. Going through what I did has taught me to do what I feel is right for my health and my body. It has actually been an amazingly empowering journey so far, and I feel very grateful and fortunate. 

 Thank you Jane for sharing your story with us. It is a real reminder of how blessed we are to have the knowledge of our gene alterations, which in turn gives us choices to try and prevent cancer. Xx