Kiana Ohlson, clinical coordinator of Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s High Risk Program, sits down with her patient, Melissa Robinson, for a candid conversation about being diagnosed with a BRCA2 gene mutation — a genetic change that greatly increases the risk of breast, ovarian and other cancers.
Melissa shares how her family’s history of breast cancer led her to genetic testing and eventually her own BRCA2 diagnosis. She talks about the difficult choices she faced, including a double mastectomy and hysterectomy, and how those decisions affected her physically and emotionally.
For families like Melissa’s, history matters. If breast, ovarian, prostate or pancreatic cancer runs in your family, it could be connected to a genetic mutation such as BRCA. These mutations can be passed down from either side of your family — from your mother or your father — and sometimes risk remains even when genetic testing comes back negative. That’s why knowing your full family history and sharing it with your health care provider is so important. The more you know, the more empowered you are to make decisions about your future.
At one point in their conversation, Melissa reflects on the care she received and says, “Each time I met with you, you never rushed me to make a decision … you were always very compassionate and patient with me.” Her words are a reminder of how powerful it is when patients feel truly heard and supported.
HEARD is about listening to women in our community, making sure they are seen, supported and empowered to take charge of their health.
Learn more about the HEARD campaign.
*The health story shared here is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Patients should consult with their own physician before making medical decisions.
