by Vera Martinella
The 38-year-old supermodel carries the BRCA1 gene mutation, which has been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer. So he decided to protect himself like Angelina Jolie had done in the past
In the summer she announced that her fallopian tube and ovaries will be removed, today 38-year-old top model Bianca Balti announced to her fans that she is on 8 breasts. Angelina Jolie, who like the model discovered she was a carrier of the BRCA gene mutation, which is associated with a higher chance of developing breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer, followed the same path almost a decade ago. Mom is being operated on because she loves life too much, Balti writes to her fans, citing the words she said to her daughters Matilde, 15, and Mia, 7. Without hiding their fear, but firmly convinced of their decision and the importance of renting out, people also know their story in order to contribute correct information on the subject.
BRCA mutations 1 and 2
Last September 1st, the model, originally from Lodi, organized a live video on her Istagram channel in collaboration with the aBRCAdabra association to answer the many questions that all people ask when they discover that they are carriers have a mutation in the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2. Scientific evidence has shown that an increasing number of malignancies in both men and women are associated with mutations in the BRCA genes. Knowing whether you are a carrier of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation helps patients diagnosed with breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer to determine the most effective therapies and guide the therapeutic decision, both on the surgical front and at the choice of different drugs — explains Alberta Ferrari, coordinator of the technical-scientific committee of aBRCAdaBRA onlus, who answered live to Bianca and the participants -. And for healthy family members who are at higher risk of developing the disease, it is important to evaluate the most appropriate prevention strategies in each individual case. Before the test, the healthy person must undergo a genetic-oncological consultation with a specialist, but the test is not reimbursed uniformly throughout Italy and risk-reducing surgeries (that is, preventive removal of the breast, uterus and ovaries) that we do not include the lea (basics of support), so in practice the hospital carries them out at its own expense as the NHS expects no reimbursement, recalls aBRCAdabra President Ornella Campanella.
What changes for those with the mutation
What are the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes? The BRCA genes are present in each of us – explains Antonio Russo, full professor of medical oncology at the University of Palermo and coordinator of the national guidelines on hereditary tumors of the Italian Association for Medical Oncology (Aiom) -. However, some people have a kind of “abnormal version” that can translate into an increased risk of cancer in both men and women. Mutations affecting both of these genes can be transmitted to children, and tumors tend to appear earlier in those who carry the mutation. There are very specific criteria for sending potential “healthy carriers” to oncology genetic counseling, and it is important that all eligible individuals have free access to the tests. Intercepting a healthy carrier (that is, a person who reacts positively to the BRCA test but does not have cancer) allows us to offer him two prevention strategies: The first, a close surveillance program with some diagnostic tests, even every six months be carried out, unlike those of the screening to which the general population undergoes, which in some cases (e.g. in breast cancer) makes it possible to detect the possible appearance of a tumor at a very early stage, making the prognosis of the disease strong can change. The other way is to offer preventive breast surgery (mastectomy) and possibly also fallopian tubes and ovaries (annexectomy), or to remove those organs in which there is a high probability of new growth.
The decision to undergo preventive surgery
The surgical options require a multidisciplinary approach, which is possible in many treatment centers in Italy (such as the breast centers and specialized centers for ovarian surgery) – says Alberta Ferrari, Deputy Director of Breast Surgery at the Polyclinic San Matteo in Pavia -. Of course, the woman’s decision must take into account her life choices, her personal and family planning, the desire for motherhood, the consequences of early menopause, as well as aesthetic and, of course, psychological aspects. The interested party must receive all the correct information so that they can freely decide when and if they wish to undergo risk-reducing surgery, knowing that at present the only strategy is able to reduce the risk of tumorigenesis in these two organs and in particular in the ovary, where to this day not even the possibility of early detection has come into focus. Surely the preventive surgery is a strong and frightening decision, as Balti tells himself: I am undergoing a preventive double mastectomy. Because I can’t afford to get sick as I carry the economic responsibility for everything on my shoulders alone. Because I want my girls to find the strength within me to act if they too are diagnosed one day. Because I love life too much not to do whatever it takes to preserve it. I was proud to set a date and impatient to wait. But now that the time has come, I don’t feel like it anymore. i feel fragile Fear of being dependent on others. Afraid of the pain she will feel. Disheartened at having to give up a part of my body that to this day defines my femininity.
December 7, 2022 (change December 7, 2022 | 08:29)
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