My Boob Journey Continues....

I just learned that there is a name for us women that go through these prophylactic bi-lateral mastectomies due to the BRCA1 or 2 gene mutations.  "Previvor".  At first, I felt bad considering myself a "previvor" because I don't want to diminish in any way the struggles of those brave souls (including my mother) fighting breast cancer directly.  Now that I've thought about it, I like it.  If it does nothing else, it helps to bring awareness and I'm all for that!  So, I'm a PREVIVOR y'all!

Last week on Thursday,  I went to the Breast Care Specialists to discuss my prophylactic bi-lateral mastectomy.    If you're a new reader, you can learn about me testing positive for the BRCA1 genetic mutation here.  I had it all planned out in my mind.  I would have my remaining ovary removed in November '14 and my breast tissue removal and reconstruction done in December '14/January '15.  The good doctor advised me that they would do all three surgeries at once.  So, I would have the bi-lateral mastectomy, breast reconstruction and oophorectomy completed at the same time.  You can imagine how difficult it is to coordinate three surgeon's schedules so, when they're all free to do the procedures, that's when I'll be having the surgeries done.  So, bye-bye plan! Isn't that how life goes anyway?

Since I'll be going through menopause soon, I've decided to design a series of fans for my upcoming hot flashes! LOL!  Stay tuned for those photos.  I'm just trying to find the beauty in all the pain y'all.  Look at how Madame Lazonga transformed this lady's mastectomy scars into a thing of beauty.

I want to share with you something that is very important.  African American women are disproportionately affected by breast cancer.  Often times, we present with more advance stages of breast cancer.  This could be due to a multitude of factors but, one major factor is that we don't go for our annual mammograms and we don't do self-examinations.  For those of us with familial history of, we are largely ignorant of who should have the BRCA test done.

Here is a list of reasons why you should speak to your OBGYN or Internal Medicine doctor about the BRCA test:

• A personal history of breast cancer at age 50 or younger
• A personal history of triple negative breast cancer (breast cancer that is estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2/neu receptor-negative) 
• A personal or family history of male breast cancer
• A personal or family history of bilateral breast cancer (cancer in both breasts)
• A personal history of ovarian cancer
• A parent, sibling, child, grandparent, grandchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece or first cousin diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45 or younger
• A mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, granddaughter, aunt, niece or first cousin diagnosed with ovarian cancer
• A family history of both breast and ovarian cancers on the same side of the family (either mother's or father's side of the family)
• Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and a family history of breast or ovarian cancer