One Woman’s Fight Against Hereditary Breast Cancer
I’ve written many times here of my aversion to the battling terms the media like to use when it comes to cancer, especially when someone “loses their fight with cancer”. But today I am making an exception. I want to introduce you to someone who is the embodiment of the fighting spirit, someone who took on a battle with the medical establishment and won.
I’m Still Standing: My Fight Against Hereditary Breast Cancer is the story of Wendy Watson, founder of the Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline and the first woman in the UK to undergo an elective double mastectomy.
When Wendy was just 16, her mother died from breast cancer. After researching her family history she discovered a further nine relatives had died of the disease. Wendy had always been assured by her GP that breast cancer was NOT hereditary, but this family history was all the evidence she needed to question that. Although little was known about the genetic link to breast cancer at the time, Wendy was deeply concerned about her own risk of developing the disease.
I set about trying to find ways to protect myself from developing the disease, and finally came up with a solution that was absolutely the right thing for me: to have my breast tissue removed before cancer had chance to develop. At the time, this was unheard of. Everyone thought I was simply crazy. Now NICE Guidelines recognize this procedure as being a valid option for the 1 in 200 women who carry a high risk gene fault.
So at the age of 37, Wendy was the first woman in Britain to have a pre-emptive double mastectomy (thirteen years later, at 24, her daughter Becky made the same choice).
Wendy’s decision to have this operation was not without a struggle with the medical establishment and her experience led to her setting up the Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline in 1996, to help other women facing a similar choice.
The following year she successfully spearheaded a campaign against the patenting of two genes linked to breast cancer, all the time challenging the bureaucracy of many Primary Care Trusts in the UK and the European Parliament.
When Wendy won the Tesco Mum of the Year Award in 2011, the Helpline received a boost in recognition and has gone from strength to strength, supporting thousands through their difficult decisions when being faced with stark choices of living with risk or facing elective surgery.
I’m Still Standing, is Wendy’s account of her journey from childhood to the present day, written in her own down to earth, practical style. It is an inspiring story of one woman’s fight against the establishment, a story, filled with fortitude, humour and determination – much like the author.
I hope my book will help many more women to find the courage to face their future. My friends say this should be my theme tune – despite all the knockbacks I keep battling on.
At the end of the book, I had a greater understanding of the complexities of genetic cancer, and was filled with admiration for this remarkable woman. She renewed my faith in the power we all have as individuals to make a difference. To me she is the embodiment of Monday’s Motivational Quotation:
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do.
Book Giveaway
I have two copies of I’m Still Standing to give away this week. Simply leave a comment below on any aspect of this review which has touched you.
There’s so much determination and courage in what she did – to get that double mastectomy before it was even accepted in practice. This is certainly a reminder to push for what feels right (not always easy, often even not done . . . but look at the change that determination had the power to create.)
LikeLike
As a patent attorney, I was touched most by this courageous woman’s battle against the patenting of the two genes found to be linked to hereditary breast cancer. Spurred on by indignation and her own cancer behemoth, she took on a Goliath of a pharmaceutical company–and won. The book will be a great source of inspiration to anyone who wins it.
LikeLike
What an inspiration! It is true that we often think we as one person cannot do much, but Wendy proves the truth of Monday’s quote – we though one, can be apowerful force for good.
LikeLike
what wendy has achieved is remarkable – she is truly an inspiration to us all.
LikeLike
This sounds like it is remarkable story of individual courage determination and strength, and I would love to win a copy of the book please
LikeLike
I am in awe of Wendy Watson what she has done to raise so much awareness of hereditary breast cancer and all the support she gives to others.
LikeLike
Wendy is David taking on the Goliath of the medical establishment – what a wonderful woman!
LikeLike
Her resilinence and determination is certainly inspirational. Well done Wendy!
LikeLike
I’ve actually read this remarkable book and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. If I win a book, I will be passing it on to my local cancer centre.
LikeLike
I read Wendy’s book, too, so I don’t need to be entered in the drawing, but I just wanted to add my thoughts. I was impressed with her tenacity. She’s surely made a huge impact on many lives. Thank you for the review and two lucky winners, that’s doubly nice!
LikeLike
Now that’s a woman who carries the “survivor” gene, to be so proactive that she perseveres until she not only gets her own surgery, but then goes about helping other women. What a woman! What a woman! She has my admiration.
LikeLike
I love this comment from Breast Cancer Sisterhood on the survivor gene! Well said.
LikeLike
Hats off to Wendy, and to you, Marie, for introducing us to her. She does embody the fighting spirit and is an inspiration to everyone, whether part of the BC community or not.
LikeLike
What an incredible story of determination by one woman – well done to Wendy.
LikeLike
So inpsired reading this story.
LikeLike
What an incredible woman, so brave! She is indeed an inspiration!
LikeLike
Over the past month I have learned of another young mother of 2 (29 y/o) who has metastatic breast ca. Dx w/brest ca & was then MBC w/in several wks. She has tested positive for BRCA and has a twin sister and an older sister, who are now faced with big decisions. Thanks for blogging about this book! If I am able to receive a copy I will pass it onto this family but either way I will inform them about this story. Thanks.
LikeLike
Such an inspiring story
LikeLike
I would really love a copy of this book! Am I too late to enter?? I would share it with my daughter who is 21. She has some very important decisions before her at this point. I’m always looking for something uplifting to read.
LikeLike
And the winners are…..Nic and Angie – well done ladies. Please email me your mailing addresses and I will get a copy of this book to you asap. (note: winners drawn using random number generator)
LikeLike