episode 26
“Two Sisters, Breast Cancer and the BRCA Gene”
with Ellie Rogers and Lisa Bardas
Ellie Rogers and Lisa Bardas Founders of Two Sisters Foundation
@twosistersfoundation
1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. To delve into this is to better understand the BRCA gene (aka BReast CAncer gene) which is gene that produces proteins to help repair damaged DNA. But the BRCA gene can mutate, and if a mutation occurs, not only does it continue down the bloodlines of families, but your chances increase by 45% to 85% for developing breast cancer in your lifetime, along with a 10% to 46% chance of ovarian cancer.
This is where the power of Two sisters steps in. Lisa Bardas and Ellie Rogers are two sisters that were faced with discovering their larger family were all carriers of the mutated BRCA gene, when Ellie was diagnosed with breast cancer. They made the incredibly bold and brave decision to undergo a double mastectomy and uterus removal, in a bid to live. They then took it further by founding Two Sisters Foundation, in a bid to make genetic testing for the BRCA gene available as an open preventative test, to allow for time and in-turn choice for prevention measures, not only for their own children, but for everyone, and make the concept of testing for only the considered ‘high risk’, or testing when diagnosed with cancer, obsolete. These two women, are an example of strength and the power of what can be overcome and faced, as Two Sisters.
“A lot of people are focused on what happens after you get cancer, we want to prevent it from happening”
TOP RESOURCES:
WEBSITE:
WATCH:
Directed by award-winning director, writer and stylist Sophie Hexter, The Nightside is a short, emotive film designed to educate and empower all BRCA carriers.
LISTEN:
1. Lets Talk Fast Podcast Interview by Lisa Bardas & Ellie Rogers
2. 3AW interview by Lisa Bardas & Ellie Rogers
3. 9 News TV Interview with Lisa Bardas and Ellie Rogers
READ:
Read about some recent developments in breast cancer research at WEHI.
New cellular atlas maps out healthy and cancerous breast tissue. WEHI researchers have documented the diversity of cells in the human breast, explaining the relationship between healthy breast cells and breast cancer cells.
Microscopic behaviour of developing breast cells uncovered
An improved high-tech fluorescence microscopy technique is allowing researchers to film cells inside the breast as never seen before.
“Holy grail’ of breast cancer prevention in high-risk women may be in sight
Australian researchers have discovered that an existing medication could have promise in preventing breast cancer in women carrying a faulty BRCA1 gene.
Learn more about breast cancer research at WEHI.
DONATE:
Your support can help improve the lives of women everywhere.
At present, 1 in every 7 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, and 1 in 85 will develop ovarian cancer.
A woman who carries the BRCA gene mutation has a 7 in 10 chance of developing breast cancer (70% chance) and a 4 in 10 chance of developing ovarian cancer (40% chance).
The odds are not in our favour. But it doesn’t have to be like this.
Help Two Sisters Foundation change the narrative for women everywhere. For our sisters, our mums, our friends, our neighbours and our communities. With your support, we can change the way this story ends.
TOP FACTS AND STATS
In Australia:
1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.
About 80% of these women are over the age of 50
Approximately 1000 women under the age of 40 will be diagnosed with the disease in 2021.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Risks for BRCA carriers:
For women aged 80 years and under, the risk of developing breast cancer is much higher for those with BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes:
Non-carriers: 1:8
BRCA carriers: 7:10
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Carriers of BRCA1 mutations:
Often develop triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)
Can be high grade estrogen receptor positive (ER+)
Have an approximately 45% risk of developing ovarian cancer
Source: American Cancer Society