I gave up my breasts to beat cancer

Published on Thursday 1 May 2008 10:16

IT is a disease which will touch almost everyone during their life. But for one Edinburgh family being diagnosed with cancer is not just a possibility – it's already written into their genes.

While several members of the family have battled cancer, it was not until recently – and a chance trip to the doctor – that the deadly link was uncovered.

For 27-year-old Rochelle Gallagher the realisation that she was carrying a cancer timebomb – in the form of the rare BRCA1 gene – led to her taking drastic action.

The mother-of-four, from Fernieside, underwent an operation to have both breasts removed, even though she had not yet been diagnosed.

Rochelle, who had watched her mother Audrey go through treatment for breast cancer, said today she had not given the operation a second thought.

She says: "I was a bit shocked and I couldn't really take it in but I was definitely quite clear on having my breasts removed. I was never going to go through what my mum went through.

"I was 12 when my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. I saw her go through her worst – she had chemo, then her hair fell out. I knew that if I had not had the chance to go through genetic testing, I could have ended up with cancer at 29, like my mum."

Rochelle's mother, Audrey Smith, 45, has now recovered from her cancer ordeal, but her own mother Norma, 63, is now terminally ill with lung cancer and a brain tumour.

&#149 Genetic timeline: Passed on from generation to generation

Audrey, of Northfield, also lost her father Matthew when he was just 62, three years ago, and it is believed she inherited the gene from him. While she was not aware he had cancer, she now thinks his death could have been down to prostate cancer.

However, it was by chance that the gene was discovered in the first place. Genetic testing was only ever suggested to the family after Rochelle's sister, Stacey, visited her doctor to be prescribed the Pill. Rochelle explains: "When they prescribe it they have to ask if the family has a history of breast cancer. So my sister said my mum was diagnosed with it.

"They then asked my mum if she would go through genetic testing. She did the tests and it took a year for the results to come back but she found out she had the faulty BRCA1 gene."

For Rochelle and her sister, this meant that they would have a 50 per cent chance of inheriting the gene, so they underwent testing themselves last September.

After three weeks the tests came back showing that Stacey was not a carrier, but Rochelle was.

She says: "My wee sister is more like my mum so I thought she might have the gene but then they said that I had it and told me that, as a result, I had an 80 per cent chance of getting breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

"The doctors didn't force me into it (the double mastectomy] but they did advise it was the best decision. I had counselling sessions beforehand which gave me a clear picture of what I was going to go through.

"I have four kids myself. I just thought I would rather be recovering for six to eight weeks from the surgery than have to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy."

Rochelle had the five-hour operation last month in the Western General, and is now making a good recovery.

She adds: "I had the reconstructive surgery straight away during the same operation. I would have felt that something was missing if I hadn't.

"Some people have said it's a good way of getting a boob job but this is nothing like a boob job.

"But I still feel so lucky to have had the genetic testing. It is amazing what they can do and find out. I feel so privileged to have had the tests.

"There is still that slight chance of me getting cancer but I'm just happy it is all over for now.

"I'm still quite blank about it but I feel fine now. I have a one-year-old and a two-year-old and I couldn't lift them for weeks but I'm getting my strength back.

"I will definitely be getting my ovaries taken out as well but we don't start talking about that until I'm in my late 30s.

"The whole thing has made me even closer to my mum. She's an amazing person."

Rochelle and her husband John have three boys and a girl of their own. Rochelle says that when her daughter, Charlie, gets older she will have to undergo the same tests to see if she is a carrier as well.

Rochelle says: "Charlie is 11 now but I'm going to advise she has the tests when she's older.

"If she had to go through the same operation as me I would be gutted for her. I would be devastated but it would have to be an option for her."

Audrey said she was convinced that the genetic testing had prolonged her daughter's life.

In addition to close relatives, Audrey's aunt on her mother's side was diagnosed with breast cancer in her late 50s but has since recovered, while her aunt on her father's side died of breast and ovarian cancer when she was in her 50s.

The family are now organising a fundraising event to take place tomorrow to raise money for research.

"We are having a fundraising event in the Jewel Miners' Club at 7pm on Friday for all family and friends," says Audrey.

"It has been a sell-out – we've sold 150 tickets. We are fundraising for genetic cancer research but the money is going to the breast unit at the Western General for them to donate.

"We are just so grateful to genetic testing for discovering this gene and helping to prolong my daughter's life."

RARE MUTATION IS THE KEY

JOYCE CAMPBELL, clinical nurse specialist at the Western General, said that the BRCA1 gene was fairly rare.

"The gene was first discovered in 1994 and it was a significant breakthrough.

"Up to 90 per cent of breast cancer cases are not genetic and around five to ten per cent can be. Only about half of this five to ten per cent is the BRCA1 gene.

"Everyone has breast cancer genes but it is whether there is a gene change or mutation that we are looking for.

"If we detect a gene change and the person has children then there is a 50/50 chance of inheriting it.

"If it is discovered that the children have it then they can continue to do nothing, have screening, which has limitations in younger women or they can consider prophylactic or risk-reducing surgery.

"Having the breasts removed can reduce the breast cancer risk by up to 95 per cent plus.

"It is a personal choice and we also ask them to speak to a psychologist beforehand."