National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline

National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline

National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline

National Herediatry Breast Cancer

National Herediatary is a  charity very close to my heart founded by one woman who has been  massive inspiration to me personally Mrs Wendy Watson.

The Helpline is open Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm and Saturday 9-4pm                    Tel: 07969063952 or 01629 813000 oror endeavour to contact you straight away.

Most breast cancer occurs by chance, however in some families an alteration in a gene can give rise to a hugely increased risk. It is important to realise that everyone is an individual with different needs. We hope to promote a range of options for everyone; our mantra is that everyone should have access to all the relevant options open to them, then full support no matter what the choice.

BRCA1 & BRCA2 Genes

Everyone has BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. They play a role in protecting us from cancer as they help prevent the cells in our bodies from growing and dividing out of control.

If there is a significant change (called an alteration or mutation) in either of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, they may lose the ability to protect us from developing breast; ovarian; pancreatic and prostate cancers.

Around 1 in every 200-300 people in the general population will have a BRCA gene alteration. In some populations they are more frequent, people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, for example, have around a 1 in 40 chance of carrying a BRCA gene alteration.

Finding out you have an increased risk of cancer can be a lot to process, but it does offer some opportunities to either prevent certain cancers from developing (through risk reducing surgery) or catching them at the earliest opportunity through symptoms awareness or surveillance, when they are easiest to treat. It can also open up treatment options if breast or ovarian cancer does develop, help inform other family members to enable them to get genetic testing, and help you make decisions if starting a family.

You can be tested on the NHS for the BRCA gene alterations if you fit certain criteria. Essentially if you have a strong family history of breast / ovary / prostate cancers or a relative with a known BRCA gene alteration, you are likely to be eligible for testing.

I was able to research my family history and the knowledge I gained gave me insight and power into my life.  I have the BRCA 1 Gene and in 2019 I choose to have my preventative double mastectomy to rid myself of being such a high risk for breast cancer. It took me several years with much soul seeking to get to my decision and it's not an easy one for a woman to make but I truely felt it best after an abundance of research, discussions & inspiration from truly amazing surgeons my risk-reducing mastectomy was finally done in 2019.

Wendy Watson & Hereditary Breast Cancer played a large part in this.  I was inspired after I read Wendy's book and thanks to her help and science and technology I have the option to change my life, my lovely sister was so very, very brave but she and countless others could not. So I will remember her today and feel incredibly priviledged for this chance to change the odds and this great weight to be lifted and while I enjoy life as a previvor.

Jane Mills

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