Erika Stallings had a very high risk of developing breast cancer. She tested positive for a genetic mutation called BRCA2 which, combined with her family history of breast cancer, made the likelihood that she’d develop the disease extremely high. She got results of a genetic test in July 2014, and her doctor recommended that she schedule a double mastectomy before the end of that year.
A prophylactic mastectomy — or preventative mastectomy — is when a woman chooses to remove one or both of her breasts due to something like a high risk of developing cancer. “It’s very sad to be loosing body parts, particularly in a society where your breasts are very associated with your womanhood and your femininity,” Erika says.
Read MoreErika says it was hard to explain to people that she didn’t actually have cancer, but she was still making the choice to have her breasts removed. After all is said and done, she believes that the BRCA mutation and the surgery she underwent were all part of a bigger plan. She’s used her experience to reach out to others in similar situations through freelance writing, and has become something of an advocate for African-American woman when it comes to breast cancer awareness and genetic testing.
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