Pieces of Me - By Veronica Neave
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A vibrant performer, film director and mum, life for Veronica Neave was always a little crazy and unpredictable. When she tested positive for the BRCA2 'breast cancer gene' the turmoil in her life reached a new high.
The genetic test, combined with her family's history, increased the probability of Veronica one day battling breast cancer to more than 85%. Veronica had watched her mother's ongoing struggle and knew well the history of other relatives dying young at the hands of this persistent disease. When Veronica's two sisters also tested positive for the gene, it seemed the deadly pattern was destined to continue.
Veronica's options - on paper - seemed simple: prevention through high maintenance testing, medication, or the more intrusive step of removing her healthy breasts, and possibly her ovaries too, in the hope of prevention. With her breasts now centre stage, the decision was extremely personal and introspective and yet also seemed to be everybody's business. As she unravelled the information of experts from across the medical spectrum and views from others, Veronica battled her own beliefs about sexuality, body image and even the thought that her breast removal and reconstruction would be seen as a cosmetic 'improvement' by many, not as a life-saving operation. One thing was certain. The science of genetic identification was expanding faster than cures or treatments and Veronica needed to make a decision now. On one hand she had been forewarned of the potential risks, on the other, there was no certainty of prevention or a cure.