Lisa Bancroft Undergoes Preventative Mastectomy Due to BRCA Gene

At 27 years old, Lisa Bancroft, a single parent, underwent preventative surgery for the removal of both her breasts. She is one of thousands who have undergone testing for the defective BRCA gene in the last three decades. This uncommon gene, identified in 1994, has been linked to an elevated risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Prominent Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie notably opted for a double mastectomy after learning she carried the gene. Ms. Bancroft, a resident of Dunfermline, underwent genetic testing in 2019 following cancer diagnoses for both her father and aunt. Her daughter, Emma, was two years old at that point. Ms. Bancroft’s defective gene indicated a 60-90% probability of developing breast cancer. She described receiving this information as feeling like a “death sentence.” She stated, “My whole world crashed around me. It was really difficult, especially as I was a single parent.” She conducted online research, which she described as “totally scaring” herself, prior to discovering information about Ms. Jolie’s comparable experience. The Hollywood actress had a double mastectomy in 2013 to mitigate her cancer risk, following her mother’s death from the illness. Ms. Bancroft underwent the identical surgical procedure in 2020 after a period of introspection. She expressed that she felt compelled to have the surgery for her daughter’s well-being. She stated, “I was still breastfeeding my daughter and I had to stop. That was a big decision, and a really hard one, as up until that point breastfeeding her was one of the things I was most proud of.” She also recognized that if she were to have additional children, she would be unable to breastfeed them. Ms. Bancroft commented: “I knew that I needed to do it to ensure I would be around for Emma as long as I possibly could be. I don’t want to have to break the news to my daughter that I’ve got cancer, I don’t want to have her see me go through this.” Ms. Bancroft expressed contentment at being able to “no longer live with anxiety” regarding the potential development of breast cancer, though she found the entire experience exceptionally difficult to process. She remarked, “You feel very out of control of your health and I think it’s really confusing when it comes, not from a cancer diagnosis, because I had in all respects a healthy body. It was really, really hard physically, but it was really hard emotionally. It was losing a part of yourself and losing a part of your body – that as much as it could have made me ill, it was as much part of me.” Ms. Bancroft has yet to decide concerning her ovaries, given her elevated risk of developing ovarian cancer. She stated, “I actually wouldn’t change the journey that I’ve been on because it has made me a much stronger and more confident person.” Individuals carrying a genetic variant possess a 50% likelihood of transmitting it to their offspring. Emma, Ms. Bancroft’s daughter, will have access to genetic testing via the NHS upon reaching 18 years of age. However, Ms. Bancroft hopes that ongoing research will provide Emma with alternative options that do not necessitate similar life-altering choices. These genes, which can elevate the risks of breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer, can be inherited by anyone. Approximately one in every 400 individuals carries a defective BRCA gene. While not all carriers will develop cancer, some opt for risk-reducing surgery. The identification of these genes has been crucial for comprehending inherited cancers and for the development of novel treatments. Medications currently employed in treating ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer in cases involving a defective BRCA gene are undergoing trials for a rare and lethal type of brain tumour. Cancer Research UK provided funding for a trial, spearheaded by the University of Glasgow, to investigate the efficacy of PARP inhibitors (a category of targeted cancer drug) as a component of glioblastoma treatment. Glioblastoma is recognized as one of the most prevalent forms of brain tumours in adults, impacting up to 4,000 individuals annually in the UK, and is associated with low survival rates. Professor Anthony Chalmers, who is directing the trial’s second phase, stated that a breakthrough would be “massive” given the grim patient outcomes. He commented, “Everybody with this cancer essentially dies because of that tumour and the cancers in the brain also cause all kinds of problems with disabilities, memory and personality. Like with the BRCA discovery, we hope it won’t just be brain tumour patients who benefit from this and we can apply what we learn in this particular cancer to other types of cancer.” For Ms. Bancroft, the ongoing research and the prospect of additional methods to prevent and treat cancers, stemming from the discovery of the BRCA genes, now “brings her peace” regarding her daughter’s future, after her initial feelings of being “absolutely devastated.” In Scotland, individuals aged 18 or older may be referred for genetic testing if they satisfy specific risk criteria. A General Practitioner (GP) may refer patients for the test if there is a family history of cancer, if a relative carries a defective gene, or if they have a Jewish grandparent. Recent studies conducted by scientists at Edinburgh and Aberdeen universities identified a geographical ancestral connection in Orkney and Shetland. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.