Contact Me.
For inquires about event or press opportunities, 1:1 consulting or other general questions please feel free to contact me.
phone: 585-204-7090
email: info@BreastPrevivorsROC.com
Hi, I’m Cara Cappello.
In the fall of 2018 I went in for a routine mammogram. I filled out a questionnaire regarding genetics and family history of cancer. Based on my answers I was a good candidate for genetic testing. So, I elected to have the test done which was covered by my health insurance. After waiting 4 weeks the test results came back, I found out that I was at high risk of getting breast cancer due to a gene mutation.
I was now a breast cancer previvor. Cancer previvors are individuals who are survivors of a predisposition to cancer but who haven't had the disease. This group includes people who carry a hereditary mutation, a family history of cancer, or some other predisposing factor.
I do not have the BRACA 1 or 2 gene which are the most common ones associated with breast cancer. Instead, I have the Chek2 gene mutation. There are different gene mutations linked to breast cancer. Science continues to progress in identifying which gene mutations are linked to different types of cancer. The test results showed that my life time risk of breast cancer was 46%. Anything over 20% is considered high risk. I knew right away that I wanted to be proactive and reduce my risk of breast cancer. I had a prophylactic bilateral double mastectomy on March 25th 2019. Many health insurance policies will pay for the surgery and all reconstruction if your probability of getting breast cancer on the genetic test is high.
After my surgery, the test results from the routine biopsy done on the breast tissue gave me all the validation I needed. My pathology report showed I had pre-cancerous cells in my right breast. It was just a matter of time before I got breast cancer. I am so glad I had genetic testing done. It potentially saved me from developing breast cancer. I knew I made the right choice.
As I was going through my journey, I really wanted to connect with others going through the same preventive surgery. I was looking into local support groups and organizations for previvors like myself and could not find any. There are many support groups offered to breast cancer survivors who already had cancer but none were available for cancer previvors in Rochester, NY. The health care system has consultants for those with breast cancer to help them with questions and choices they face. However, there are no consultants available in our health care system for breast cancer previvors.
I know there are others out there like myself. Our journey may be different than someone going through breast cancer but we still have a difficult physical and emotional journey and need support and advocacy. I longed for a connection to other previvors. To feel that I was not alone in this journey and to also help others navigate this road I decided that I wanted to start my own organization to provide support and consult others going through this difficult time. That’s when I created Breast Previvors ROC.
I provide private consultations to women going through this journey. My support group meets several times a year in Rochester, NY. We have a fun while offering support to one another, sharing stories and answering questions. I also have a private Facebook page that allows for our support group to lean on each other for questions and answers discreetly. I am so grateful to be able to support and empower others in their own journey. It is important to be able to talk with others that understand what you are going through. I want the community to know there is support for other Previvors like myself.
- Cara Cappello