Val Heyman voluntarily had both of her breasts surgically removed in March.
She'll have her ovaries surgically removed early in the new year.
And she doesn't feel angry, cheated or unlucky about it.
"I just feel so grateful," said the health care worker from Vernon.
"I had cancer, yet I didn't have to go through chemotherapy or radiation. I've had this great weight lifted off my shoulders. And now I have a dramatically reduced risk of cancer going forward and huge peace of mind."
Let's backtrack a bit here.
Heyman, 40, has known she carries the breast cancer1 (BRCA1) gene mutation since she was tested five years ago.
The mutation means carriers face a 70% chance of developing breast cancer by age 70 -- that's 58% higher than the average woman in British Columbia who doesn't have the BRCA mutation.
"I was and wasn't shocked I had the mutation," explained Heyman.
"I'd known since my 20s that my family on my dad's side has a strong history of the BRCA1 gene mutation. My dad's sister told me about it when she had breast and ovarian cancer."
Rather than feel devastated by the knowledge, Heyman felt empowered.
"Knowing you have it gives you power," she stated.
"I knew then that in four or five years I would have a preventative double mastectomy followed by preventative removal of my ovaries."
The gene mutation also means a drastically increased chance of developing ovarian cancer.
In the meantime, Heyman and her husband, Matthew, tried to have a baby through IVF (in vitro fertilization), but it didn't work.
IVF cells can be tested so parents don't pass on the BRCA1 gene mutation.
They feel sad they didn't have a baby, but they have moved on so Heyman could have the preventative surgeries.
In the run up to the double mastectomy, Heyman was being tested every six months by mammogram, ultrasound and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
The latest test showed early cancer cells in the left breast.
So, Heyman had the preventative double mastectomy in the nick of time.
"When you have BRCA1 gene mutation, early cancer develops into much worse very aggressively," she pointed out.
After the preventative surgery, Heyman's risk of breast cancer is now reduced by up to 90%.
Since the operation in March, she's also had her breasts reconstructed using tissue from her inner thigh.
This is a lot of personal and medical information to be sharing publicly.
But, when asked by the BC Cancer Foundation to speak up during October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Heyman was more than willing.
"It can help others who carry the BRCA gene mutation," she said.
"And also urges woman to be tested for breast cancer."
Heyman is also taking it a step farther, by having her first will drawn up ahead of BC Make-a-Will Week, which runs Oct. 6 to 12.
"I did it for numerous reasons," she explained.
"My dad recently died (in a car accident at age 66), I've had this surgery and I wanted to make provision in support of BC Cancer's Hereditary Cancer Program."
More about the hereditary program here: http://www.bccancer.bc.
More about including including the BC Cancer Foundation in your will here: https://
"Through research one day we can hopefully block the BRCA gene mutation," summed up Heyman.
