In 1994, Reenie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fourteen years later, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had skin cancer, too. Reenie passed away in 2011, but she left behind an unexpected gift that may save the lives of her children and grandchildren.
Before she passed away, Reenie insisted on having her kids, Kristin and Marc, tested to see if they had inherited the mutated BRCA2 gene from her. A mutated BRCA2 gene signifies improper cell growth and heightened risk for cancer.
Both Kristin and Marc tested positive for the BRACA2 gene mutation, putting them and their children at greater risk for breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. But instead of letting the news destroy the family, Kristin and Marc saw this as an opportunity to own and take charge of their health — something their mother never had the chance to do. Kristin decided to have her ovaries removed, and now has regular MRIs and mammograms, so doctors can catch a cancer early enough. Marc is now screened more often then the average person for breast cancer, prostate cancer, and skin cancer.
Now with children of their own, Kristin and Marc are forever grateful to their mom for having them tested, thus starting a cycle of early detection and prevention. "My mom saved my life and possibly the lives of my children and grandchildren," Kristin says.
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