My Mom’s side of my family has a long history of Breast Cancer. My Great Grandma passed away due to Breast Cancer, and my Grandma is a survivor. With this history, my Mom decided to go to get testing done to evaluate her own risk of developing Breast Cancer. After genetic screening in Connecticut, the doctors discovered that my mother has an ATM gene mutation, giving her a very high chance of one day having Breast Cancer.
When my Mom heard the news, as expected, she was terrified and sorrowful. She went into New York City, to Memorial Sloan Kettering, for genetic counseling. After reviewing her options with specialists, she knew her best option was to eliminate her risk of breast cancer by getting a preventive double mastectomy.
Before my parents told me about her surgery, I had suspicions of what was going on. I noticed new books appearing on my mother’s bedside table with titles like “How to Deal with Surgery” and immediately assumed that my Mom had Breast Cancer. My parents sat my brother and me down and told us what was going on: that Mom would be having surgery to eliminate all risk of Breast Cancer. Because I had initially assumed the worst, I was slightly relieved it was not as bad I was expecting, but still very concerned about my Mom’s health.
When I heard about the Pink Portrait Project club at my high school, given my family’s experience with Breast Cancer, I immediately wanted to get involved. Over time, I have moved up in the club, and currently I am the President of the Pink Portrait Project Club at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, CT.
