Rita, Prescott, Arizona

Age: 31

Large cyst found on left ovary. Family history points to the possibility of being tested positive for the BRCA mutation. Waiting for results. Scared.

I'm more than my risk… some fun facts about myself:

Favorite book / authors:
Christopher Moore, David Sedaris, Luis L'amour, John D. MacDonald

Favorite Quote:
A person's a person no matter how small

Favorite Superhero:
Wonder Woman

Other favorites?
My family.

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My journey

Since it had been over 6 years since my last annual exam, I felt that I should probably get it done. Considering my mom survived ovarian cancer when she was 33, and having an uncle (yep, an uncle) who had breast cancer - not to mention the lung cancer my grandmother had and skin cancer my dad had (and survived) I felt that I should stop hiding under a rock and take my health seriously. They found during my exam that I have an enormous cyst that has engulfed my left ovary and collapsed on itself. Upon talking to the OBGYN who will be performing my oophorectomy and talking about my family history he felt that I should be tested for the BRCA (BRAC was what was on the test kit - not sure which one is correct) mutation. All of a sudden I went from a no big deal surgery to me possibly having to have a hyserctomy and being forced into surgical menopaus. This has been a whirlwind of a week for me. I am currently awaiting my test results - and admittedly very scared. Do I really have/need to have a hysterctomy if I test positive? I understand that this mutation makes it so I am at a higher risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer, but is there anything else I can do to help stave of those things from happening without surgery? I am ok with having my left ovary removed, but not so sure about the rest of my reproductive organs. I have children and have had a tubal so no plans on getting pregnant again - but still...