Schoolgirl, 15, Wants Mastectomy to Prevent Breast Cancer

A family history that her grandmother, aunt and mom conceived breast cancers made Joanne take such a drastic preventive step to remove her breasts. The 15-year-old schoolgirl from Kent, U.K., told the Dailymail

It may be that doctors will say there is a medical reason why I need to wait until I am 16 or worse, 18. But nothing will change my view.

I respect Mum's decision and reasons for not having a mastectomy, but I would have had the surgery if I were her.

If I'd been diagnosed with breast cancer I wouldn't have hesitated in having my breasts removed straightaway. Even now, while I'm cancer-free, I cannot wait to be rid of the worry that I feel is hanging over me.

Every time I get undressed or change I can't help looking at myself and wondering if I too might have a cancer growing inside me. Sometimes I have trouble sleeping because I'm so worried about what will happen to me.

Although I still face tests to see if I carry this rogue gene which my mother has, doctors have already warned me that it is genetic and that I am highly likely to develop the disease. It may be they can't identify a gene, but this still would not stop me wanting preventative surgery.

Photo seen at QQ

Tags: breast cancer, joanne, mastectomy