At age 28, I found out I was BRCA 1 positive. I was told this meant I had a 70% chance of developing breast cancer by age 70, and a 44% chance of developing ovarian cancer in my lifetime. After feeling the sadness and weight of the news with my husband, family and friends, I began being proactive.

David Salita was diagnosed as a positive BRCA mutation carrier in July 2021 after a family history and European Jewish heritage, his family doctor referred him to the local Health Sciences Centre. His family doctor gave him thorough support, guidance and regular screening for potential prostate problems and breast screening on himself at home.

In December 2017, Tovah Carr received a phone call from her sister, who had joined a study at Women’s College hospital in Toronto that included testing for the BRCA gene mutation and was positive for the gene. Tovah also tested positive for the gene and was informed that her chances of getting breast cancer and ovarian cancer were extremely high and recommended to have preventable surgeries immediately.

My father urged my sister and I to get tested for BRCA gene mutation, but I declined to be tested because I was already able to get the screening by virtue of my father’s status. Ultimately, I was tested once we had our 3 beautiful children and as predicted, I am BRCA+ which led to a breast cancer diagnosis that was caught early and was able to have a preventative double mastectomy and reconstruction. But now I think about my children who now have a 50% chance of carrying the gene and will need to make some hard decisions when they are older.

I first learned of my dad’s cancer during my first week of a 7-week trip backpacking through South America. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer, Stage IV, in the bones, no cure. It was devastating. Dad may have been 72, but he was in good health and should have had many good years ahead of him. Through most of the cancer treatment, it was unclear why dad’s cancer was so incredibly aggressive. However, just a week before he passed away, he found out that he was a BRCA2 carrier.

I first became aware of the existence of the BRCA genetic mutation when my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 60, about 25 years ago. I didn’t see the point in knowing if I was at increased risk for prostate cancer and I forgot about the BRCA genes and prostate cancer for about 13 years.

I was referred for a transvaginal ultrasound because of symptoms that turned out to be totally unrelated to the cancer. The radiologist immediately recommended an MRI, which revealed the presence of masses on my ovaries and several other pelvic organs.