What does it mean to have a BRCA mutation? When K found out that she is a carrier of a genetic mutation of the BRCA 1 gene or BRCA, which is correlated with a significant risk of breast and ovarian cancer, she opened up to her community and asked her friends for help as she underwent risk management surgery. In this candid conversation, K shares her story about learning she is BRCA positive and her physical, mental, and emotional journey with a double mastectomy with reconstruction, and hysterectomy. 

Also in this episode: navigating a changing body, self-image and femininity, communication with intimate partners, hormones, self-advocacy within the healthcare system, and the most unique incentive to quit smoking. 

TIME STAMPS: 

10:30 BRACA Diagnosis

14:25 Mastectomy Description

18:25 Breast Expander Experience

29:00 Hysterectomy Definition

39:20 Hysterectomy Post Opp side effects and experiences 

Check out K’s woman owned creators shop All of The Things NYC on Etsy  https://www.etsy.com/shop/allofthethingsNYC 

Follow them on Instagram @allofthethingsnyc https://www.instagram.com/allofthethingsnyc/ 

For more information about hereditary cancers, and to help those affected visit facingourrisk.org 

Visit https://its-elemental.com to learn more about their thermal bras for previvors and survivors. 

NYU Langone Perlmuter Center support groups: Here

Information about BRCA 1/2 mutations from the top of the episode were compiled from the following resources: National Breast Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, and Mayo Clinic.

Visit us at thedowntherepodcast.com to learn more about our show, find episode transcripts, or to get in touch. Check out our Instagram @thedowntherepodcast https://www.instagram.com/thedowntherepodcast/ for new episode drops, info about our guests, and fun tidbits!  

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CREDITS: 

Host: Caitlin Smith Rapoport

Music, Sound Design, Editing: Kate Marvin 

Producers: Molly Hennighausen, Caitlin Smith Rapoport 

Design: Jean Kim Studio 

Thanks for listening! 

Xoxo 💛TheDownThere Team💛