Mary Lou

Age You Tested Positive: 57
Gene Mutation: BRCA2
Preventative Steps Taken: Preventative mastectomy
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What were your initial thoughts when you found out about your mutation?
It took a few months for me to really think about it. I found out I had the BRCA2 mutation just one week before my ovarian cancer surgery, so my focus was entirely on getting through surgery and treatment. Shortly after surgery, I was introduced to Nothing Pink, and they helped me tremendously through chemotherapy with their bi-weekly Zoom meetings. Meeting regularly with other women who were facing similar challenges helped me slowly gain knowledge about my mutation and what it meant for my future.

How do you felt about the decisions you faced?
The decisions weren't easy, but Nothing Pink helped put my mind at ease. Seeing and talking with other women who were in the same situation was priceless. Their experiences, encouragement, and support helped me feel less alone and more confident in the choices I needed to make.

What preventative choices did you make and why?
I chose to have a preventative mastectomy. After meeting with a high-risk clinic, I learned that my lifetime risk of breast cancer was as high as 84%. A preventative mastectomy reduced that risk to approximately 3%. I liked those odds. Having already survived ovarian cancer surgery and chemotherapy, I was determined to do everything in my power to reduce my risk of developing another cancer associated with the BRCA2 mutation.

What was your treatment and recovery like?
Nothing Pink helped make the entire process go as smoothly as possible. I felt prepared in every way—physically, emotionally, and mentally. The recovery was much easier than I ever imagined it would be.

Where you are now?
I will celebrate six years cancer-free this August, and I am four years out from my preventative mastectomy. I feel great and remain proactive about my health by receiving annual screenings for pancreatic cancer and melanoma.

What do you wish you had known?
I wish I had known about Nothing Pink before my surgery—and honestly, years earlier. The education, support, and community they provide are invaluable. I also wish I had known more about my family's cancer history. Before my diagnosis, I didn't know that my grandmother had ovarian cancer and passed away at just 38 years old, leaving behind 10 children. I also didn't know that her daughter, my Aunt Carol, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 49. I didn't learn that until I was going through chemotherapy myself.

The good news is that Aunt Carol is now 89 years old and celebrating 40 years as an ovarian cancer survivor. Her story is an incredible reminder of the strength, hope, and resilience that can come from early detection, treatment, and perseverance.

What would you like others to know?
Knowing your family history is so important. Write it all down so you can see the full picture. I knew there had been cancer in my family, but until I put everything on paper, I didn't realize how prevalent it truly was.

If I had gathered that information earlier, I may have been able to take preventative measures and begin enhanced screenings before my ovarian cancer diagnosis. My oncologist required a detailed family history before surgery, and that process ultimately led to the discovery of my BRCA2 mutation. I was the first person in my family to learn that we carried the mutation. Sadly, my brother Mike passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2017. If we had known about the BRCA2 mutation then, he likely would have been monitored through regular screenings and may not have gone undiagnosed for nearly a year.

There is power in knowing.

After my diagnosis, two of my nieces—who are sisters—also learned that they carry the BRCA2 mutation. I am incredibly grateful that Nothing Pink was there to support them through the bi-weekly Zoom meetings. We all love Nothing Pink because we would have been completely lost without them.

One of my nieces began receiving breast screenings every six months instead of annually because of her BRCA2 status. Those increased screenings saved her life. Her breast cancer was detected early, and today she is nearly two years cancer-free.

That is the power of knowledge, early detection, and having the right support system beside you.