Your Stories

Ameena: I often feel like a ticking time bomb

Ameena had long suspected that the many cases of cancer in her family, including her own, were linked to a hereditary cause. Here she tells her story of uncovering her family's inherited risk.

Tracey: A quick blood test to find out your BRCA status could save your life

Tracey tells us about her genetic testing experience. After finding out she was BRCA positive, she had risk-reducing oophorectomy. During the surgery they discovered she already has ovarian cancer.

Natalie Pearce: "Being aware of the faulty BRCA gene has helped my family"

"This photo still stops my heart. I remember how scared I was and how I was trying to put on a brave smile."

Natalie was diagnosed with Stage 3c ovarian cancer in November 2012, aged 40. Now, celebrating a decade since her diagnosis, she wants to share her story to give hope to anyone, especially with late stage ovarian cancer, who has just been diagnosed, or who is undergoing treatment.

Marion Bines: "Being told I had ovarian cancer was so surreal"

Marion Bines, was diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer in November 2017 at the age of 52. She told us about her ovarian cancer story and how she considers herself 'one of the lucky ones'

Adele Sewell: "I incorrectly assumed that a cervical smear would discover all female gynaecological cancers""

After being diagnosed with breast cancer eight years earlier, Adele was was concerned she had ovarian cancer symptoms and assumed she needed a smear test. Over the next 18 months, Adele learnt about how ovarian cancer is really diagnosed and what put her at an increased risk.

Florence's story

Florence was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2010 and has undergone several rounds of gruelling chemotherapy and extensive surgery over the past 12 years.  She reflects on why breakthroughs in treatments are vital for her and thousands of women in the UK.

BRCA and hereditary cancer risks: Jenny's genetic testing journey

When Jenny's aunt was sadly diagnosed with peritoneal cancer she decided to have genetic testing. After discovering her own BCRA 2 gene mutation she started a support group on Facebook for other women who had a hereditary risk.

Talya: “Genetic testing has allowed me to take control of something I’d previously had no control over."

People of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage are ten times more likely to carry a BRCA gene mutation that heightens a person’s risk of certain cancers, including ovarian. Talya Schneider shares her story in the hope that more Jewish families can stay together, for longer.  

DNA Family Secrets: Duri shares her story as part of BBC Two documentary

Duri Mehmet, one of the founding members of our Next Generation Women's Collective, sadly lost her mum to ovarian cancer nine years ago, she then discovered that the disease runs in her family. Duri shared her journey as part of BBC Two documentary called DNA Family Secrets on the 9th March 2021. This is her full story.

Mary: "I was also told that there was no connection between mine and my sister’s cancer"

Mary was diagnosed with both breast cancer and ovarian cancer before she found out she had a genetic risk. Now she reflects on how this discovery affected her family. 

Jacqui: "Forewarned is forearmed"

Not long after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Jacqui began to trace her family history which led her to discover she had a BRCA1 gene mutation and a sister she never knew she had. 

Teal warrior: Michelle's story

Mum of two grown up children, Michelle, shares her story of how her cancer diagnosis and family history led to her learning of her genetic risk.

Rosie: "My family has benefited from major discoveries in the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary cancers that were years in the making."

This is Rosie, a 70-year-old retired pharmacist from Hertfordshire, who unknowingly inherited the BRCA1 gene mutation from her mum. Rosie will be shared her story as part of Ovarian Cancer Action's BBC Lifeline Appeal on 31st January.

Carla: “A new chapter awaits”

In 2014, Carla was diagnosed with a BRCA1 gene mutation and made the decision to have a risk-reducing mastectomy. Fast forward to 2020, Carla shares an honest and open account of how she's feeling on the day before her next surgery. 

Aimi Munro: Moving on

Over the last seven years, Aimi had preventative surgeries to lower her chances of being diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer. She shares why she chose surgery at the times she did, and how the decisions she made were right for her plans for a family.

Jo Peek: “Everyone should have the opportunity to know what their genetic history is – it can save lives”

Jo explains what an unexpected opportunity to get a BRCA mutation test meant to her and generations of her family. 

Charlie Morgan: Tits up! Finding the positive in a BRCA mutation

When Charlie was diagnosed with a BRCA2 mutation aged 20, she wanted to find and connect with other younger women who understood what she was going though and the options that lay ahead. Charlie shares her story and the experiences that led her to create the supportive community The BRCA Project.

Rabbi Oliver: “The BRCA gene fault is much more prevalent in the Ashkenazi Jewish community."

By sharing his story, Rabbi Oliver hopes to help prevent cancer in Jewish communities.

Gift Hamisi: "We don’t often hear the stories of people who have tested negative, that is why I share mine"

Back in 2018, Gift was awaiting the results of a BRCA gene test, which would tell her whether or not she had inherited the same genetic mutation as her mother and a heightened risk of cancer. Almost two years on, Gift shares what happened next 

Liz Driver: "The thing that upsets me the most is the general lack of interest in boys having the gene mutation."

Liz, a 48 year old married mum of two wonderful young men describes her experience of finding out she carries a BRCA2 gene mutation.