How My BRCA Gene Test Led to Breast Reconstruction After Cancer

Amy was only 37 when she was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), an early-stage breast cancer. After a lumpectomy and five years of tamoxifen, a medication that blocks the effects of estrogen to reduce the risk of recurrence, she believed her cancer journey was over. But at 42, a new doctor recommended genetic testing and the results changed everything.

A positive BRCA gene test revealed that her risk of recurrence was as high as seventy-five percent. “Once I knew the percentages, there was no question—I had to take action,” Amy recalls. She underwent a hysterectomy followed by a preventive double mastectomy within months. While she was prepared for the medical necessity of these breast reconstruction surgeries, the emotional toll was significant. “I loved my breasts,” Amy says. “Losing them felt like losing a part of myself.”

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Breast reconstruction became a crucial step in her recovery. However, radiation had left her with challenges—her left side didn’t match her right. That’s when her plastic surgeon recommended she join Mentor’s ATHENA clinical study, designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the MemoryGel Enhance breast implants. “Committing to 10 years of annual MRIs wasn’t easy, but it gave me peace of mind,” she explains. Seven years later, Amy feels confident and whole again. “The implants helped me reclaim a part of myself I thought I had lost.”

Through her journey, Amy learned the importance of advocating for herself. “I wish I had switched doctors sooner and spoken up more,” she reflects. Now, she shares her breast reconstruction story openly to help others. “This journey is hard, but it’s also empowering when you take control of your choices.”