A young woman underwent a double mastectomy at the age of just 25, despite not having breast cancer, after the disease devastated her family.
Sydney Weinstock of Toronto decided to take drastic action after discovering that she was a carrier of the BRCA gene, which increases the risk of developing the disease.
Breast cancer killed her grandmother and great aunt while her aunt is in remission after fighting the disease.
The producer inherited the defective gene from the family’s paternal side, as did all of her other female relatives from that branch.
Sydney has known about the possibility of getting the disease since she was a little girl and decided to get tested for the gene at 23 with a simple blood test.
Toronto’s Sydney Weinstock underwent a double mastectomy after discovering she carried the BRCA gene, which increases her risk of cancer. Here is a picture of her after surgery.
The 25-year-old woman, who was seen here prior to the operation, says she wanted the operation as it “greatly reduces the chance of developing cancer.”
Sydney (pictured before surgery) lost her grandmother and great aunt to breast cancer, and her aunt is currently in remission.
She discovered she was wearing it in December 2020 and opted for life-changing surgery to drastically lower her cancer risk, instead of getting regular mammograms for the rest of her life.
She said: “I know it sounds radical, but I made this decision a long time ago and I knew what I wanted.
“People called me brave because of the operation, but I didn’t feel that way. In my opinion, if it helps prevent something deadly, why shouldn’t I do it?
“I had reconstructive surgery and was able to keep my nipples to look like my breasts. They are still swollen and not fully recovered, but I love them.
“They even grew half a size, which is great. I now have a full 36 C.
According to the producer (pictured before the operation), she likes her breasts after the mastectomy, which, according to her, are larger than before the operation.
Sydney (pictured during her recovery) had a bilateral, nipple-sparing double mastectomy, which meant she was able to keep her own nipples.
Now the 25-year-old is urging others to “take a stand for their health”, saying it’s important that people make the best decisions in their circumstances.
“My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 40 and died, then her twin sister was diagnosed with cancer and she also died.
“We have always known this since my father lost his mother when he was only 18 and saw his sister fight cancer.
“My cousin tested positive for this gene and also had a double mastectomy six or seven years ago, so I always knew this was what I wanted to do.
What is the BRCA gene and how does it affect people’s cancer risk?
Having the mutated BRCA gene known to have Angelina Jolie dramatically increases a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime, from 12 percent to 90 percent.
Between 1 in 800 and 1 in 1,000 women carry the BRCA gene mutation, which increases the chances of breast and ovarian cancer.
Both BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that produce proteins to suppress tumors. When they mutate, DNA damage can be caused and cells are more likely to become cancerous.
Mutations are usually inherited and significantly increase the risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer.
When a child has a parent that carries a mutation in one of these genes, they have a 50 percent chance of inheriting those mutations.
About 1.3% of women in the general population develop ovarian cancer, and this number rises to 44% of women who inherit a deleterious BRCA1 mutation.
“I was able to get tested after my father found out he carried the gene and we found that we have it.
“I wanted to have surgery as it greatly reduces the chance of developing cancer.
“It was an easy decision for me as I didn’t want to live in fear of getting cancer and I had an amazing support system for people who went through that experience.”
Sydney went under the knife due to a nipple-sparing bilateral double mastectomy just before her reconstruction in January 2022.
Although Sydney has recovered from the procedure, there is a risk that she may later develop ovarian cancer due to the inherited gene and may have to undergo a hysterectomy in the future.
However, now she encourages other women to get tested and check their breasts.
She added: “I would do it again if I had to.
“I had a really positive experience with everyone involved in the operation.
“I would advise other women to check their breasts and keep up with annual checkups.
“There are so many options for surgery, you can have a mastectomy and leave the breast flat, reconstruct with implants, use excess fat to create a “new” breast, whatever suits you.
“As a 25 year old woman, I felt that reconstruction was a great option for me as it meant I didn’t lose my breasts and made the transition easier.
“It really gives you the opportunity to take control of your health and your future.
“Now I don’t have to worry about cancer like my relatives did.
“It is very important to protect your health and make your own decisions.
“It’s your body and no one will understand what you’re going through, so make the choice that’s best for you.”