Carrie Williams
Age You Tested Positive 37 years old (2016)
Gene Mutation BRCA2
Preventative Steps Taken
2017 Prophylactic Double Mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction
2020 Full hysterectomy
Screening continues for Melanoma, Pancreatic
Family Planning Status at Diagnosis Mother of 2 young boys, Married, Premenopausal
Your initial thoughts when you found out about your mutation
I will never forget the day the genetic counselor called with my results. I was outside watching my kids play, and deep down I already knew what she was going to say—that I also carried the BRCA2 mutation, just like my older sister. My intuition had been preparing me for that moment for years, but hearing the words made it real. Thankfully, I wasn’t facing it alone. I had my sister and Kelly, both of whom had already walked the path of surgeries and navigating life with a BRCA mutation, and their support meant everything.
How you felt about the decisions you faced
I knew I had to do everything possible to stay ahead of a cancer diagnosis and be here for my children. My mother passed away from breast cancer at just 37 years old—I was only 8. Growing up without her left a space in my heart that never fully healed, and I never wanted my boys to experience that same loss.
As overwhelming as the appointments, scans, surgeries, and sleepless nights filled with worry were, I am deeply grateful I chose to take action. Those decisions helped reduce my estimated lifetime risk of breast cancer from 87% to just 2%—and gave me peace of mind knowing I did everything I could for myself and for my family.
What preventative choices I made and why
I chose to have my mastectomy first because I knew our family was complete and I was ready to take steps to reduce my cancer risk. I waited until I was 40 to move forward with my hysterectomy. I understood that removing my ovaries would bring changes to my body, but because I was taking preventive action before a cancer diagnosis, I was grateful to have the option of hormone replacement therapy to help manage those changes and support my quality of life.
What recovery was like
Recovery from my mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction surgery was slow, and I was so thankful for the support of my husband and family as they helped with the kids, along with encouragement from Kelly and the NothingPink community. The first few weeks had many ups and downs, but as I started moving more, walking, and spending time outside, I could see my body healing little by little. Those small signs of progress gave me hope. I leaned on my faith and got through the hard days.
Where you are now
Today, I am honored to support other previvors navigating hereditary cancer through my role as Operations Director at NothingPink. These days, I have very few follow-up appointments and focus on living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
One of the greatest gifts of taking proactive steps to reduce my risk has been the peace of mind it gave me. I no longer wake up every day consumed by thoughts of my high cancer risk. While it will always be a part of my story, it no longer feels like a cloud following me everywhere I go. I am grateful to feel that chapter behind me and to spend more time looking ahead instead of living in fear of what could happen.
What you would do the same or differently
Looking back, I would make the same decisions again, with one possible change—I may have considered removing only my fallopian tubes at age 40 and waiting until closer to age 50 for a full hysterectomy. Emerging research suggests that many ovarian cancers may begin in the fallopian tubes, making tube removal an option that can help reduce risk for some women.
Of course, every person’s situation, risk factors, and goals are different, and these decisions should be made in partnership with a trusted medical team. But knowing what I know now, it’s something I would have explored more deeply as part of my own decision-making process.
What you wish you had known
Having a hysterectomy can affect so much more than ending your menstrual cycle. Changes in hormones can influence mental clarity, mood, bone health, heart health, energy levels, and many other aspects of both physical and emotional well-being. It can be a significant transition, and adjusting to those changes takes time, patience, and support.
What you want other previvors to know
You have your own decisions to make, and it’s okay to keep gathering information, asking questions, and seeking medical opinions until you feel confident in your path forward. Every person’s situation is different, and this is the one body you will live in for the rest of your life—make choices that align with your values and what feels right for you, not what others expect.
Facing a high cancer risk can feel overwhelming, but I want to encourage you to channel that energy into becoming the strongest advocate for your own health. Learn, ask questions, trust yourself, and remember—you don’t have to have all the answers at once. One step at a time is still moving forward.
