68. Pause on the ovary plucking?

I got a letter the other day from my Genetics Counsellor and a further letter from my Consultant Clinical Geneticist, both stating that I was likely in no immediate risk from Ovarian Cancer in the years leading to my 40th birthday.

"I thought that I would just write to reiterate the information that the risk of ovarian cancer over the next few years is really quite small. One of the original studies of BRCA families found that less than 1 in 100 women developed ovarian cancer before the age of 40 and after this age the risk became much more significant."

I was invited to come back at any point if I was worried or changed my mind but that it would be advisable to chat again closer to the age of 40.

So, how do I feel? I've had a blood test returned from me CA125 test as within normal range. The range being between 0 and 35. My results were 32.4. Does this high end of normal result worry me? Strangely, not a lot. I feel strangely unpanicked about it, even though my lifetime risk is upto 60% because of my BRCA1 gene, no-one in my family history has developed Ovarian Cancer that we know of. This is obviously a contributing factor to my relaxed feeling about the disease and my high risk. Before, when I had my natural breasts, my danger boobs, I worried about ALL of it, all of my risks were heightened to me but now, now that I have had my breast reconstruction surgery, I feel calmer, relaxed. It is amazing. It was a sacrifice but a no brainer really. I am alive, well, strong again. I am a different me, stronger.

I found this interesting study about women who developed cancer with BRCA mutations, the results are pretty scary averaging about 70% of those in the study developed cancer by the age of 50. risk for hereditary cancer

So I rest lightly on my laurels for a while. I cannot even contemplate getting my ovaries out right now or in the next couple of years, there is much to do and without any medical benefits of doing it now, just a prolonged risk of osteoporosis for being without the hormones and a few less periods to endure, I will wait for a couple of years before I delve into this again.

I will stay vigilant though. Ovarian Cancer is not silent as most thin, there are signs but subtle ones. Here is a webpage about symptoms if you are worried or interested. Ovarian Cancer Symptoms.

56. Time to disturb the mothballs

I am doing my bit for chaity again but I can assure you that doing Race for Life this year is more challenging for me than it is for you to get your debit or credit card out and pledge a LARGE or a small donation online for Cancer Research UK. Check out my page --> http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/leighannjones

Me abseiling 200ft off the Civic Centre in Plymouth





Me running (yes running) the Race for Life on Plymouth Hoe (5km)








This year is special. I am meeting with some very special women who have shared their own intimate journeys, feelings, choices..some even photos of their own scars and knowing them has helped me get through this. These women also have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, some have unfortunately already had cancer, some have taken the preventative surgery route like myself but all of us have struggled through our diagnosis, the implications of knowing about our high risk of cancer and how it can filter through the family. We have all endured many family deaths from cancer and we unite this year to make our gene known - we go to promote the support site I set up and we need your cash.

Me in my stylish umbrella hat!



BRCA Umbrella - the support site I set up for people with BRCA gene mutations



Imagine if you had to watch your children agonise over whether to have children or not because of a gene you had passed onto them, imagine watching them decide to undergo 10 hours of surgery to remove perfectly healthy breast tissue or wombs or ovaries.

Now imagine a moment when all that had to happen was a gene mutation fix, where family was no longer an agonising worry, where cancer was no longer a threat..for life.

Your money can help research get there.

54. And the results are...(drum roll please)...

My breast tissue dissection and examination after full surgical removal was...



Clear - Normal - No pre-cancerous or cancerous cells detected.

It is official - I cut completely healthy organs from my body.

Hoorah!

Breast Cancer and I had a race and I ran so bloody fast it didn't touch me! I win!

When so many find out too late about their genetic destiny, their BRCA mutation. I made a choice when I found out, my choice was to eliminate my high risk and to undego preventative surgery in order to live a longer life. My breasts are made from other parts of me but they are still me and I can live with my scars comfortably.

I now have a 2% chance of breast cancer - NOT an 85% chance.

Surgery was worth it. My perseverence, my peristence, my determination..my survival instinct drove me onwards through fear and uncertainty and into the unknown.

I won the race against my high risk of breast cancer - I gambled my life on an operating theatre table against the odds of getting breast cancer.

My surgeon helped me prolong my life - he has restored a sense of normality for me, released me from anxiety, from fear, from worry. All that wondering before, fear of pain, fear of disfigurement, stuff deeply troubling me..I weighed it up and it was just so simple. Surgery.

My future has returned.