Hi everyone,
I’m 37 and recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Genetic testing showed I have a BRCA1 mutation, and I’ve been told that ovary removal (oophorectomy) is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
I’m feeling so scared and overwhelmed. I’ve always looked and felt younger than my age, and now I’m terrified that I’ll suddenly feel old. I know this might sound vain, but it’s something that’s really affecting me emotionally. I am also ER+, so no HRT for me.
At the same time, I’m terrified of developing ovarian cancer in the future. I don’t know how to make this decision.
I wanted to reach out to anyone here who has BRCA1 and had their ovaries removed — especially if you were younger.
How did you cope with the emotional and physical changes?
Did you feel different afterwards?
Any advice or shared experiences would mean so much right now. I just want to feel like I’m not alone in this.
Thank you in advance,
Nat
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Hi @nat_story
Sorry you haven’t had a response from the forum yet! I’m hoping someone will come along who can share their experience with you.
What I can say is, this diagnosis affects us all in so many different ways, there is no right or wrong way to feel.
How long do you have to make a decision? It might help to sign up to the someone like me service that BCN offer, I used it when I started treatment in 2023 and can’t recommend it enough.
I hope you’re keeping as well as you can 
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Hello. My daughter was diagnosed with Triple negative BC last year and went through full chemo, immunotherapy and bilateral mastectomy. She was diagnosed wiith the BRCA1 gene half way through her treatment (we had no idea this gene was in the family) she is now only 33 with a 2 year old. She is now going through the trauma of thinking about having another child (but doing it through IVF so as to screen the eggs to exclude ones with this god awful gene.) She is going through hell with so many options and then needing ovaries and fallopian tubes removed and being thrown into an early menopause. So much more to consider in this situation. She is an emotional wreck right now, so feel your pain. Take care of yourself and hope you can see a path through that works for you x
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hello @nat_story
im sorry you have had this devestating diagnosis and have to try to find a way through all this ! i hope you find the strength and support to do so !!!
my daughter (28) has been diagnosed with TNBC in march this year. right early on she was tested for the BRACA gene( on my fathers side is a very high form of breast cancer… im in the process of getting tested myself atm , so is my son and husband) so she stated that right from the beginning, hence the test was run early on…
because of the BRACA1 she was also advised to have both breast removed and later on in live (45 onwards) to do the same with her ovaries. they have been frozen/ put to sleep for now. so im not sure, why you have been told with 37 to have your overies removed ? may is an idea to re check/ discuss this with your doctor , or cancer nurse ?! but may it is genuinly individual from patient to paitient ?!
may try to think more in the way of what is most important to you, to reduce/try to prevent the risks of recurring cancer… or worse a new one ! and may listen inside yourself… try to find your gut feeling and what it is telling you… or may try to step back from this question for a little while… try to free your mind from this question and then come back and think it through once more… and ask yourself what has priority for you, your life and your wellbeing… and i think that no one on here would dare to tell you what is right or wrong … this is entirely YOUR decision… i feel for you… is one huge messy turmoil and so much, so many different things to deal with, understand, try to make sense of and to decide… i hope you will be able to find the right choice for you !
all the best and stay strong… T
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Hi @nat_story
This forum is so quiet despite it being recommended as the place to come.
I am 38 and also have the BRCA1 mutation. I’m having similar thoughts and worries and working through the same things. My close friend group, whilst supportive, just don’t get it. It’s hard.
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