 | WHAT'S IN A GENE? There are currently 20 to 30 genes in which mutations have been linked to cancer predisposition. by Eve Jacobs |
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 In 1997 Jeanne Gibian had both her breasts removed. Or as they say in medical lingo, she had a double mastectomy. She's very happy with her decision. No, she did not have cancer, nor any signs or symptoms of malignancy. Gibian was concerned because of her genes. Her mother died of breast cancer at age 45. Her twin sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at 42. She figured her number might be up soon. And she wasn't ready to die, nor to endure regimens of chemotherapy and radiation. She had two children - then ages 14 and 11 - to raise, and a new husband. He encouraged her to go for the surgery, rather than take her chances. He wanted her to be around for awhile. And she had seen what it was like for her younger sister to go through her teen years without a mother. |
The magazine of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey |
