BRCA2 Breast Cancer: Erika's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Erika was in college when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time and tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation. Years later, as Erika approached the age her mother had been at her first breast cancer diagnosis, she met with a genetic counselor at NYU Langone. Testing showed that she had inherited the same BRCA2 mutation. The result meant a sharply increased breast cancer risk, plus added ovarian, melanoma, pancreatic, and colon cancer surveillance needs. Erika reviewed several options, including enhanced surveillance with MRI and mammogram every 6 months. Because of her mother’s history of 2 breast cancers, the surgical teams she met recommended a risk-reducing mastectomy. She had both mammogram and MRI before surgery to check for cancer, then underwent a preventive double mastectomy in December with nipple-sparing, direct-to-implant reconstruction in 1 operation. The surgery lasted about 5.5 hours, drains stayed in for about 1 week, and she returned to work after about 3.5 weeks on a reduced schedule. As of June 2026, Erika had no cancer diagnosis and continued long-term hereditary-risk management, including breast exams, ovarian screening with CA-125 and transvaginal ultrasound, dermatology and ophthalmology visits, future colonoscopy, and planned ovary removal between ages 38 and 40.