Turning 40 got me worrying about my health, especially my risk of breast cancer. My grandmother had died from breast cancer in her 50's, but I was 'low risk'. I did not qualify for breast cancer genetic testing in the NHS.

I chose to have a Complete Genetic Health screen. I wanted to take every chance to protect my health for my children. I was diagnosed with a mutation in a breast cancer gene. My chance of getting breast cancer was around 60% in my lifetime, especially in my 40's.

I was incredibly fortunate all my screening tests were clear. I had a risk-reducing double mastectomy in September 2020. My risk of breast cancer is now less than 5%. I'm now less likely to get breast cancer than an average woman.

I believe all women should have the choice to have genetic testing. Knowledge truly is power.

After I got my results I spent a lot of time researching genetic testing for breast cancer risk. I thought that as I did not meet the NHS criteria for genetic testing I didn’t need to worry about it. This is wrong, over 50% of people with a mutation in a cancer susceptibility gene have NO family history of cancer. If we continue to follow the current guidelines it could take over 250 years to discover all BRCA gene carriers in the UK.