TAH aged 40 to beat the Ovarian Cancer gene

On July 25th 2012 I had a TAH on the advice of two different doctors to do my best to avoid the Ovarian cancer that I lost my Mum to.

Following the mapping of cancer and pre-cancerous incidents across my mother's family (her sisters and their daughters) and genetic counselling 2 years ago, it was concluded that I have a 99% chance that I carry the BRC2 gene that leads to ovarian/cervical/endometrial/prostate/colon cancers.

Whilst I had been advised that a TAH was advisable, the decision came to a head following a number of abnormal smear tests followed by a colposcopy that showed cervical pitting. Although there was nothing wrong with me now, the consultant agreed the time had come for surgery.

Although that all sounds like it was an obvious decision to make, it was never that simple and on the day of surgery I wondered was I doing the right thing. The most difficult part was that my surgery meant having to be back on the same hospital ward where my Mum passed away.

3 weeks after surgery and I am glad I went through with it. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and I look forward to being an old lady!

AprilKnit