In Her Own Words…

Almost all of the women on my dad’s side of the family have been diagnosed with breast and/or ovarian cancer. Once my dad tested positive for the BRCA 1 genetic mutation, it was an Oprah moment in my household. But instead of, you get a car, it became, you get a genetic test! I tested positive for the BRCA 1 genetic mutation at 22 years old. I instantly became overcome with fear and anxiety, wondering when the day would come that I would find a lump in my breast. Rather than do surveillance and feel like I was waiting for cancer, I decided to take action. In January of  2017, I chose to have a preventative double mastectomy to reduce my risk of breast cancer. I was just 24 years old and felt completely anxious, alone, and afraid but knew in my gut that I was making the right decision for my future. 

When I looked for support or guidance online, I was very discouraged to see that most support groups and organizations painted the experience in a negative light, and many of the support groups that existed left me feeling worse than before I had gotten there. I struggled to find my place in the community. 

Although terrified and unsure about the decision I was making, I went through with the preventative double mastectomy.

I remember coming out of surgery and being afraid to look down at my chest and worried how I would feel about my scars. 

But after my double mastectomy, I looked at my body and I felt empowered, strong, and sexy! I also felt extremely grateful that I had this choice and was able to make this decision preventatively, unlike so many women in my family before me. I wanted other people to know that they too could feel like this.

 I also worried about my youngest sister Cammy, who hasn’t been tested for the mutation yet because she is only 17. I knew that if she tested positive for the mutation, I wanted her to have a better experience than I did. So I made it my mission to create resources to help others navigate decisions surrounding their health and their bodies and empower them so these decisions don’t have to feel so scary and overwhelming. I want others to know that they have choices. 

I started sharing my experience on Instagram and I quickly realized that there are thousands of others who felt similarly to me, and together we have created an amazing community online and in person. We call each other breast friends or Breasties for short! 

Through Instagram, I was able to meet Bri and Allie — and together we have built The Breasties, a nonprofit organization that puts together free events and weekend wellness retreats and online support around the world for those impacted by breast and gynecological cancers.