by Sheila Adams Gardner
This past August marked one year since my sister Patricia and I had breast surgeries within days of each other to reduce our elevated risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer because of our inherited RAD51D gene mutation. I had a breast lift in preparation for my double mastectomy and reconstruction. Pat had a double mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction. Soon after our surgeries, we met on a FaceTime call. We laughed as we played post-breast surgery “Show and Tell.” Our sister Jacinta was there too, admonishing us about raising our arms too high and irritating our scars. Having had her double mastectomy and reconstruction 12 years earlier, Jacinta’s personal experience and emotional support were immeasurable. Our bond as sisters was strengthened by our shared identity as “Previvors”— survivors of a predisposition to cancer.
Earlier in the year, we each had oophorectomies to eliminate our risk of developing ovarian cancer. Buoyed by our commitment to strike cancer BEFORE it strikes us, we encouraged and annoyed each other until we each completed our prophylactic treatments by the end of 2023. We continue to share cancer screening and prevention practices and encourage each other. Traveling this previvor life journey with my oldest best friends—my sisters—has made the road so much easier.
We created Families Fighting Hereditary Cancer, hoping that our story will encourage other families to unite and fight cancer together. The peace of knowing that we will NEVER get ovarian cancer and that we have reduced our chances of getting breast cancer by 95 percent fueled our passion to educate other families. For us, the RAD51D gene mutation is a “VIP card” that empowers us to get the necessary healthcare tools to STRIKE CANCER FIRST through regular screenings, prophylactic surgery and many other cancer prevention tools we have yet to discover. You and your family members can protect yourselves and change your family’s history of cancer to one of triumph through preventive healthcare. Join us in spreading the message. KNOW YOUR RISK. MANAGE YOUR RISK. BEAT HEREDITARY CANCER!
Sheila Adams Gardner is a co-founder of Families Fighting Hereditary Cancer .