At 22 years old, talent booker Paige More learned she had tested positive for the BRCA gene, a risk factor strongly associated with . This diagnosis, coupled with a strong family history of the disease, motivated Paige to make a decision that more and more BRCA-positive woman are choosing: Paige decided to have both of her breasts removed, even though she was cancer-free.
, director of breast surgery at °µĶųTV Langoneās , performed Paigeās surgery. āWomen who test positive for BRCA have about an 85 percent chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime,ā Dr. Schnabel tells Good Morning America. āWhen I consult with a patient, we discuss several options to manage risk, and one of the things we discuss is preventive mastectomy.ā
Dr. Freya Schnabel, director of breast surgery at °µĶųTV Langoneās Perlmutter Cancer Center.
Photo: °µĶųTV Langone Staff
Since she had her surgery, Paige says that she has met so many āamazing peopleā who have gone through similar experiences. āIām a warrior,ā she says proudly. āI wanted to show cancer that youāre not going to get me.ā
Watch more on .
