Dr. Contessa lost her mother to breast cancer at a young age and witnessed her father battle colon cancer who was suffering in 2018. She knew she had a high risk of developing the same disease that claimed her mother’s life, and she decided to take action.
She underwent a double mastectomy in May 2018, a surgery that removes both breasts, to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer. She did not test positive for BRCA, a gene mutation that increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, but she had other factors that made her worry. She had irregular mammograms, cysts that needed biopsies, and a family history of aggressive cancers.
She chose to have the surgery for her peace of mind. She wanted to stop living in fear and uncertainty. She wanted to be there for her children and husband. She wanted to live her life to the fullest.
She also chose to have reconstruction surgery at the same time as her mastectomy, so she could have new breasts that looked natural and beautiful. She was happy with the outcome and felt more confident in her body.
