At just 13, Heather lost her mother to breast cancer. Fifteen years later, a mother herself, Heather had genetic testing done and learned that she carried a mutation in a BRCA gene. Heather shares her experience as a previvor--from genetic counseling to finding the right doctors to her continued involvement in the BRCA community and the many changes she’s witnessed since she was tested in 2005.



Story Reference Points:

Heather learns that she carries a BRCA1 mutation @ 1:20

Making major medical decisions and finding the right doctors @ 7:54

Heather’s children’s books @ 19:59

Heather remembers her mother @ 22:19

Heather’s surveillance today and memories of scanxiety @ 27:24

The Breast Advocate app @ 29:14

Life after an oophorectomy @ 31:30

Heather’s children’s and their BRCA risks @ 36:07

BRCA resources: then and now and the shift toward shared decision making @ 41:00

Heather’s advice to individuals considering genetic testing @ 43:35

Heather’s advice to individuals looking for the right doctors @ 45:08


Links and Resources

My BRCA Story (Heather’s blog)

Heather on Twitter: @expattravelmom

Heather on Facebook

Beyond The Pink Moon Facebook Group

The Breast Advocate app


Breast Reconstruction Resources:

Terri Coutee on Twitter: @6state

The Diep C Foundation

The Diep C Journey Facebook Group


Heather’s books on Amazon:

Why is Mommy Having Surgery? She Looks OK to Me: For families with BRCA risk and undergoing prophylactic surgery and implant reconstruction

This Much I Know

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