A key to breast cancer survival
Reporter: Rahni Sadler
Date: 23 October, 2011
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Pink Hope founder Krystal Barter's three tips for women at risk
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For a growing number of young women such as nineteen-year-old Emma Sinclair, genetic science is revealing a potential killer in their DNA.
Researchers have identified two mutant genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 that give rise to breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer.
With five generations of women in her family suffering from breast cancer, Emma was tested for the gene aged 16 and was diagnosed when she finished high school.
Faced with a drastic, but potentially life-saving decision ever since, Emma is preparing to have her breasts removed, it’s just a question of when.
“My great great grand mother died of breast cancer, my great grandmother died of breast cancer my grandma has had a mastectomy and my aunt has had a mastectomy and so has my mother.
"Once I got older and developed boobs and thought well these could kill me,"
Sisters, Laura and Stacey Gadd also inherited the breast cancer gene from their mum. And both have had a double mastectomy aged 22.
More than 12 thousand Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year most will be over 50.
More information
Pink Hope
Pink Hope is an Online Community designed specifically for women, by women, who are at a high risk of developing Breast & Ovarian Cancer. It brings individuals together, provides accredited information & support, increases awareness, raises funds for research & encourages younger generations to get involved in the Fight for a Cure against an illness which affects so many lives.
To make a donation, please visit www.pinkhope.org.au & click the donate button.
You can help find a cure by donating to Pink Hope. All donations are passed onto the KConFab Research Program funded by the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
KConFab specialises in researching causes & consequences of familial predisposition to Breast Cancer, whilst the Pink Hope Grants are used by young researches conducting research into the prevention, treatment & ultimately a cure for Breast Cancer.
For more information please visit “The Pink Hope Community” at www.pinkhope.org.au or go to Pink Hope's media kit
