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Pam’s Story

I’ve recently had a double mastectomy with implant reconstruction following a second early triple negative breast cancer and the discovery of a faulty BRCA1 gene. A BRCA1 mutation essentially means I always had a 60-80% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and a 40-60% lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer. 

As it’s a gene mutation that’s autosomal dominant there’s  a 50% chance I have passed this gene on to each of my children including my daughter H. She needs to wait until she’s 18 before she can get tested. 

About 1:400 people worldwide are carriers of this gene. I had no idea I was at risk of being a carrier let alone possibly passing this on to my children. As genetic testing is becoming more commonplace more and more people will need support through this process as the implications are life changing, and difficult decisions will need to be made. 

We would like to help raise awareness and funds for Keeping Abreast as we appreciate how important the work they do is. Keeping Abreast is a U.K. charity that  provides support and information to people like us across the UK and do an amazing job reaching out and helping people through difficult times making extremely difficult decisions.  

‘We recognise there is great need for women, both newly diagnosed with breast cancer facing the possibility of mastectomy, and also women further down the line who are considering reconstructive surgery, to be able to meet and talk to other women who have been through similar experiences’ 

Thank you team Keeping Abreast!

To help raise funds we designed Boobaloo Bear - the Keeping Abreast Bear. We wanted to create something that puts a smile on a face when times are tough. 

Everyone who donates will receive Boobaloo as a token of our gratitude. 

Thank you so much ! 

Much love from 

Pam and H 

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