COLCHESTER, Vt. -
She has a history of cancer in her family in fact it's only her and her sister left. She often wonders when cancer's going to strike again. She's also our very own ABC22 and FOX44 reporter Jenny Day. She has bravely offered to share her story in hopes of inspiring and educating others.
Just about everyone has been touched by cancer in some way. I'm no different. Both of my parents died young from cancer. The loss is still surreal, but I've always thought it was important to turn my tragedy into something positive.
Along the journey, I met some incredible people. I hope you can learn something that you can apply to your own life.
"My mom just had the biggest heart and this contagious laugh."
My mom, Susie, was a fair skinned redhead like me. She died at 55 from skin cancer.
"I literally witnessed her take her last breath and it's something that haunts me to this day."
My dad, Garry, was a non-smoker who died from lung cancer at the age of 51.
"He was diagnosed October 16th and died December 6th."
So because of my family history, I thought I was the perfect candidate for a test that can tell you whether or not you have the cancer gene. It's called the BRCA test and if you test positive, meaning your genes have a genetic mutation, you have 50 to 80% chance of developing breast cancer and a 20 to 50% chance of getting ovarian cancer. Despite the emotions that come with results, I wanted to know my fate.
New findings may unlock secrets of BRCA mutations.
"I'm here at Fletcher Allen and I'm about to meet with one of the genetic counselors and I'm pretty excited, but I'm not going to lie, I'm also a little bit nervous, but I think my parents would be proud."
After collecting my complete family history and learning that my parents and other relatives didn't die from the same cancer, I was told that it's very unlikely that I have a genetic predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer.
"Which is such a relief, it's just kind of overwhelming. My sister and I always just swear we're riddled with cancer, when are we... When is the next big ball gonna drop?"
So what if you know there's cancer in your family history? What makes you a candidate for a test like this?
"There's usually a history of breast cancer under the age of 50, ovarian cancer, men with breast cancer, many generations, the histories are pretty impressive," Fletcher Allen Genetic Counselor Wendy McKinnon said.
That was the case of Ellen Dube. At 27, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"It felt like the world just dropped through my body and fell beneath my feet, I just couldn't believe what they were telling me," Dube said.
She got genetic testing done to determine her options and because of her positive BRCA test that shows she's at a higher risk of developing cancer, she underwent a double mastectomy.
"It could have been a different story if I had known sooner, if I had known about this genetic test," Dube said.
Dube's test results also have her contemplating removing her ovaries to completely eliminate her risk of ovarian cancer.
"I'm not married yet, I don't have children, it's something I always thought that I would want to do," she said.
People who have these gene mutations also have the option of taking a preventative oral form of chemotherapy. Dube is doing this and says the process is emotional, but also empowering.
If you aren't qualified for the test tube Dube received, there are plenty of other preventative tests that can detect cancer early and give you a better chance to fight it.
"Pap smears regularly, when you turn 40, get your mammogram, when you turn 50 get your colonoscopy," McKinnon said.
So whether your story look more like mine, "my mom doesn't get to be grandma, my dad doesn't get to walk me down the aisle."
Or looks more like Ellen's, we want to perhaps change your families destiny by knowing what's out there. If we save even just one life, it's worth it. Cancer strikes far too often.
"It is so time for a cure, I'm hopeful."
FOX44 and ABC22 is happy to say that Ellen Dube is cancer free.
Read more cancer stories.
Now maybe you're sitting on the couch thinking, I don't know my family history, am I at risk?
Well even you have options.
Grill your parents, grandparent and ask as many older generations as possible.
If a family member has passed, pull medical records, or get a death certificate that outlines the conditions that person had.
For yourself, go to the doctor. There are yearly blood tests and exams that can also detect cancer.
Preventative Oral Chemotherapy information.
Guidelines for the early detection of cancer.
Thanks for listening to my story.
