Personal Story: Marleah

At a glance

The story of Marleah, a woman with a family history of breast cancer. At age 25, Marleah learned that she has a BRCA2 gene mutation that increases her risk of breast cancer.

Marleah's story

Testing positive for a BRCA2 gene mutation at age 25 provided me with information to help me make informed health decisions. For me right now, that means managing my increased breast cancer risk through frequent screenings instead of surgeries to prevent breast and ovarian cancer. But knowing my risk also creates uncertainty and a lifetime of coping with that.

Living with uncertainty

For the last decade, I have really been trying to embrace an uncertain future and what that looks like on a day-to-day basis. When you accept that living with an increased risk of hereditary cancer requires ongoing medical, emotional, and practical support and effort, it helps you think long-term about managing your risk and the uncertainty that comes with it.

Getting a genetic test result that tells you that you have an increased risk of breast cancer is going to inform you right here and now. But then you have to learn to cope with the results, and that knowledge, and make many decisions.

I had to get screened for breast cancer for the first time right away at a young age, talk to my doctor about my options—like risk-reducing surgeries or more frequent screenings to manage my risk—and start having family planning conversations. Knowing your risk is just the beginning.

Reaching milestones shaped by my family history

I'm approaching the age my mom was when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and my son has reached the age I was at the time of her diagnosis. These are big milestones for me and as I reflect on the last decade, I'm really proud of myself.

At first, I waited to get genetic testing because I wasn't ready, but once I did, I learned to accept and expect uncertainty. I know what to expect when I get my screenings, and I feel more mentally prepared, so I am less anxious about them. Learning to accept all that comes with having a BRCA2 gene mutation doesn't make my feelings about it go away, but can make them more manageable over time.

Giving yourself grace

Living with a hereditary risk of breast cancer is a lifetime of work. My advice to other previvors like me is that you have to give yourself grace. Know that you are making the best decision you can at the time with all the information you have, and with new information you might make a different decision. You made the best choice for yourself that you could at the time that you made it.

Marleah’s video

Marleah: Understanding My Risk to Help Others

Marleah: Understanding My Risk to Help Others

Marleah's family history of breast cancer was her motivation for pursuing a career where she can be an advocate for herself and others at high risk. In this video, Marleah explains that understanding her risk has been an emotional journey, but also a good journey.

On This Page

• Marleah's story
• Living with uncertainty
• Reaching milestones shaped by my family history
• Giving yourself grace
• Marleah’s video

Sept. 15, 2026

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National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; Division of Cancer Prevention and ControlAbout This Page

Published: May 15, 2024

Updated: September 15, 2026This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: September 15, 2026The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.

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