My fight to escape the grim shadow of a family cancer

Blood taken from her mum 20 years ago could have helped save Julie Brown’s life. Catherine Scott reports.

WHEN Julie Brown wakes up in the morning, she no longer has the shadow of cancer hanging over her.

Her mother, Janet Firth, and up to 10 members of her family died from ovarian cancer.

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But it was thanks to ground- breaking research, which both she and her mum took part in, which has helped scientists identify the faulty gene responsible.

A woman’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer is higher if she has BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene changes.It means that Julie and other women in her position can make the decision of whether or not to have healthy ovaries, womb and breasts removed.

“Mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1991,” explains Julie from Barnsley.

“At the time, Cambridge University was carrying out research to see if there was a link between ovarian cancer and family history.

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“We decided to take part and when we did some research into our family history we found that not only my mum but around ten other members of our family had suffered ovarian cancer all the ages of 50 to 55.”

Julie was advised that due to her family history there was a high chance that she could develop ovarian cancer and that one way of reducing the risk was to have a full hysterectomy.

“With some cancers there are ways of checking yourself or looking out for symptoms, with ovarian cancer it is a silent killer. You can keep having scans but they aren’t 100 per cent definitive. When my son was six years old I decided it was time to have the operation. I was 35.”

The 50-year-old, who works as a PA to the Training School at Outwood Grange Academy, Wakefield, says at the time she did not hesitate to have the surgery although it was not a decision taken lightly.

“It is harder now actually,” says the mother-of-one.

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“I would have like to have given my son a brother or a sister, but at the time I was thinking about me and the fact that I wanted to end the line of passing this faulty gene on.”

But it wasn’t until 12 years later that researchers developed a blood test which could identify the two specific genes (BRCA1 and 2) which they now knew increased the risk of developing both ovarian and breast cancer.

Blood taken from Julie’s mother and frozen before she died was found to contain one of these genes, and so both Julie and her brother were tested to see if they also carried the genetic fault.

“My brother didn’t carry it, but I did,” says Julie.

“It came as a massive shock because it was so out of the blue. They can’t correct the gene but they can reduce the risk by removing the organs it might affect.

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“I had to make a decision; do I carry on being tested and everyday wondering if I was going to find a lump in my breast or do I have my breasts removed.

“I was 46 and couldn’t face the doubt for the rest of my life.

“They told me that I had a 90 per cent chance of developing breast cancer later in life.

“You don’t mess about with a percentage like that. So I decided to have a double mastectomy.

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“People say it was a brave decision, but I just felt that it was something I needed to do, as the alternative was so much worse.

“I felt I had to have surgery as this was the better option of lowering my risk and that I was young enough to overcome any complications. Now I have the same risk as everyone else.”

Julie had a double mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time at Sheffield’s Hallamshire Hospital.

“It was a massive operation, but I’ve never let my operations affect my life – I live a normal life, I still sunbathe in a bikini and everything else. I want people to know that you can get through this and live a normal, happy and fulfilling life.

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“Other options such as screening were offered but I did not feel this would eradicate the doubt in my mind to allow me to carry on with my life as normal. The screenings would only be probably once a year and a lot can happen in 12 months.

“The research was a big, big thing for me to be involved in and it was a long journey, but I believe that by taking part I have helped others. Scientists now know far more about the causes of cancer, and I have been able to inform my son about his family history. I now hope that my story will help to highlight awareness of genetic testing.”

Julie’s son, who is 21, will have to consider whether to be tested before starting his own family.

Next month Julie will join thousands of others at the inaugural Jane Tomlinson Walk for All Yorkshire Walking Festival, which takes place in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales on August 14.

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Those taking part in the festival, organised by the family of Jane Tomlinson to celebrate her memory, are invited to raise money for a number of partner charities.

Following Jane’s death from breast cancer in 2007, Mike and their three children, Steven, 13, Rebecca, 23 and Suzanne, 25, have worked tirelessly to reach the £5m target for the appeal, with a number of events, which began with the Leeds 10k Run For All and the recently launched Swim For All.

Julie has chosen to support Yorkshire Cancer Research following her involvement in ground-breaking genetic research trials. Yorkshire Cancer Research has a long history of funding research into breast and ovarian cancer, including women who have a genetic pre-disposition.

Women who are concerned about their family history should speak to their GP about genetic testing. Those found to be at risk may be able to access regular breast screening, as well as surgery.     

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Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR), the UK’s largest regional medical research charity, funds around £7m a year of internationally recognised cancer research.

The 200 plus scientists and clinicians, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research are among the world leaders in the fight against cancer and the charity has committed a further £15m over the next few years to continue funding them.

Yorkshire Cancer Research has helped generate some major medical breakthroughs.

Over the next 10 years, Yorkshire Cancer Research is committed to slashing current statistics that show 259 people die every week from cancer in Yorkshire alone.

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According to the charity, Yorkshire Cancer Research is the most cost efficient cancer research charity in the UK spending 84p in every pound on cancer research.

Yorkshire Cancer Research, which funds world-class research, treatment and diagnosis projects throughout the region, still has places in the Yorkshire Dales Walking Festival.

www.ycr.org.uk

Jane Tomlinson’s walk for all

The Walk For All festival, which will take place on August 14 and is being backed by the Yorkshire Post, features a 26-mile walk, a 14-mile walk and a five-mile family-friendly walk, all starting and finishing in Settle, as well as a four-and-a-half-mile route which is accessible for people in wheelchairs around nearby Malham Tarn.

The five-mile circuit was regularly walked by the Tomlinsons as a family and on the day of the event, Mike says he and his 13-year-old son Steven will join those taking part.

It is hoped more than 2,500 people of all ages and abilities will take part overall and the event will become an annual fixture in the Dales.

www.walkforall.co.uk