Why Blog? Therese and BRCA2

We knew Therese was a fighter from the moment she started biting her siblings.

Tasakid When Therese was 25, she found out she carries the BRCA2 gene. Though being a carrier does not mean that Therese will definitely have breast cancer in her lifetime, she does have an 88% – 92% chance of having breast cancer and a 27% change of having ovarian cancer. In contrast, non-BRCA2-carrying women have a 12% and <1% chance of getting breast and ovarian cancer in their lifetime. Therese’s genetic counselor strongly recommended that Therese have a bilateral mastectomy and a hysterectomy, preferably as soon as possible. Understandably, this was not an easy decision to make.

After researching the Fox family’s history of breast cancer and the BRCA2 gene (see family history) and meeting with oncologists, plastic surgeons, genetic counselors, breast surgeons, cancer survivors, women of all ages who have been through bilateral mastectomies (cancer-treating and prophylactic), and a few MRI scares (all benign), Therese decided to have the surgery. She felt it was better to do it now rather than later in life, since right now she is young, healthy, and has a great job with great medical insurance. Moreover, she was exhausted from all the “what if’s” constantly running through her mind. Doing the mastectomy was, at least from her perspective, the option that minimized her chances of developing breast cancer and maximized her ability to lead a happy life. She will continue to do preventive care for the ovarian cancer and undergo a hysterectomy later in life.

As a little background on Therese: Therese’s greatest passion growing up was soccer. She played for Busch Soccer Club in St. Louis through gradeschool and high school, then collegiately at West Point and Wash U. Just for fun, below are a few pictures of Therese in action at Wash U, and looking like a bad ass at West Point. The one where she’s standing in line is her first day on base. While Therese was at WashU, she held the record for the breath-holding portion of the “game” known as “Dunkaroos.” This gem is a voluntary event where your friends hold you upside down with your head in a bucket of ice water until you can hold your breath no longer, at which point you are pulled out of the ice bucket and do a timed keg stand. That’s my sis!