D me find my long- lost sister
in the general population will develop breast cancer during their lives, this figure rises to 65 per cent if they inherit a BRCA1 mutation.
In February 2012 Tamsin made the difficult decision to have both breasts removed. “I didn’t know how I would look or feel after the operation,” she says. “But I wanted to do everything I could to prevent the cancer so I could be around for my daughter.”
When tests were performed on the removed tissue more cancerous cells were found, proving that the operation had been performed just in time.
It also meant more rounds of chemotherapy for Tamsin, who received treatment from April to September. “The chemo hit me much harder than it did the first time. It knocked me for six, I was so unbelievably ill,” she says.
The sisters kept in regular contact throughout. “Having someone to talk to who had BRCA1 too was cathartic,” says Claire.
The sisters listened to each other, offering advice, guidance and a shoulder to cry on. Tamsin was on hand to offer support when, in July 2013, Claire made the decision to have her breasts removed too. For Claire, as a mother to nine- year- old son Thomas, it was a straightforward decision.
“I knew I wanted to watch my son grow up,” she explains. “And after seeing what Tamsin had been through I was very aware that it could happen to me too.” While Claire’s surgery went well she admits that learning to love her new body was tough at first.
“I had an immediate sense of relief but it did take a while to come to terms with the new me,” she explains. “I found it invaluable to be able to talk to someone who knew what it was like.”
For both Claire and Tamsin chatting to each other was a vital part of their recovery.
Keen to use their experiences to help other women, they both now volunteer for Breast Cancer Care’s Someone Like Me service which supports women facing breast cancer.
“It can be quite isolating to find out you have the BRCA gene,” says Claire. “I wanted to be there for other women and give them the support I had been given myself.”
This summer Tamsin and Claire are planning to introduce their families to each other for the first time.
“Cancer may have kicked me down for a while but I’ve gained a family member and because of that I couldn’t be happier,” says Tamsin.
“It’s amazing that through something so traumatic we found each other. I can’t wait get to know her better.”
Claire and Tamsin volunteer for Breast Cancer Care’s Someone Like Me service which offers support for anyone going through genetic testing. Visit breastcancercare. org. uk to find out more.
what to do if you think you might
be at risk
“IN the majority of cases, breast cancer happens by chance,” says Jackie Harris, a clinical nurse specialist in family history and breast health at Breast Cancer Care. “If you’re concerned about your risk speak with your GP.”
She advises gathering information about who has had breast cancer in your family, when they were diagnosed, how they relate to each other and how they relate to you.
“Your GP will refer you to your local family history clinic, local breast cancer unit or the regional genetic centre,” explains Jackie.
They will give you a level of risk: mild, moderate or high.
If your risk level of having inherited an altered breast cancer gene is high then you may be a suitable candidate for a genetic test.
If so, a predictive genetic test will follow where blood samples taken from family members will look for the altered gene.
“If these come back positive then a more extensive gene test follows which takes around eight weeks,” says Jackie.