Cara’s Story

At 42, Cara’s mother passed away from breast cancer. Cara was only three years old. Because of her family history, Cara’s father encouraged her to get genetic counselingA specially trained health care professional looks at a person’s family and personal medical history for signs of any genetic disease. and to be tested for a BRCA gene mutation. She was also at greater risk for a BRCA mutation due to her Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.

Cara met with genetic counselors before and after her genetic testing to help her decide how she would move forward. From the tests, she learned that she is positive for a BRCA gene mutation.BRCA stands for BReast CAncer gene. Any changes, called “mutations,” in these two genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) can raise breast cancer risk. After talking with her health care providers, Cara opted for surveillance,Screening for breast cancer more often than recommended for women who have average risk of getting breast cancer. putting any decisions about preventive surgery on hold for the moment.

At 25, she began screening for breast cancer. She was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancerCancer cells are breaking through to or invading normal surrounding breast tissue. after getting her first breast MRI.A procedure that uses radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer to create detailed images of the body. The images can show the difference between normal and damaged tissue. Cara has been cancer-free since completing treatment in 2011, and has a renewed appreciation for the little moments in life. She believes in the importance of sharing her story, and recently started a young survivors’ support group.

Cara, now 30, lives in Pennsylvania, where she works at a natural history museum. In her free time, she enjoys singing and writing original songs, running, and going out to dinner with her fiancé.

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Cara’s mother passed away from breast cancer when she was 3 years old. Her father encouraged her to get genetic counseling and testing because of her family history and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. She did and it helped save her life. Learn more from her story: http://1.usa.gov/1UpDT0T #BringYourBrave

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Cara learned her risk because her mom passed from #BreastCancer at 42. #BringYourBrave http://1.usa.gov/1UpDT0T