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‘Ignorance can be bliss, but knowledge is power’

Two carriers of the BRCA mutation tell the JC about their experience

February 1, 2024 16:10
Katie Kaye with her husband Jonathan
Katie Kaye with her husband Jonathan

ByGaby Wine, Gaby Wine

4 min read

Katie Kaye, 35, is a science teacher. She lives in Borehamwood with her husband and two young daughters. She has a BRCA 1 gene mutation.

“My mum died of breast cancer when I was eight. She was 35. I always knew deep down that I would have the mutation because I am very similar to her.

When I was 21, I found a lump in my breast. Fortunately, it was benign, and I didn’t need any surgery.

When I decided to take the BRCA test at 24, I wasn’t shocked by the result. But I put it to the back of my mind and decided that when I was done having my kids and breastfeeding, I’d have preventative surgery.