Extreme foreplay ...

Healthy sisters opt to remove womb, breasts after test for cancer gene
Britons choose extreme surgery because ‘we all want to be here to see our kids grow up’
BY NIGEL HAWKESTHE TIMES, LONDON © TIMES NEWSPAPERS LTD. 2007

Three British sisters LONDON • had surgery minutes apart in an attempt to save their lives, after discovering they shared a gene that greatly increased their risk of cancer.

Joanne Kavanagh, Louise Lambert and Michelle King found they were all carriers of the BRCA1 gene, after Mrs. King was diagnosed with breast cancer. Carrying the gene gave them all an 80-per-cent lifetime risk of breast cancer and a 40per-cent risk of ovarian cancer. The options were to have regular tests to detect any cancers early, or operations to remove the organs at risk.

Mrs. King, 42, had already had a mastectomy after developing breast cancer three years ago. Her tissue was tested and showed that she carried the BRCA1 gene, which runs in families and often leads to early cases of the disease.

Her sisters, Joanne, 44, and Louise, 39, were advised to have the same test, which showed they, too, carried BRCA1. Neither had yet shown any evidence of either breast or ovarian cancer. They opted for an extreme option: removal of womb and breasts.

All three, who have seven children and one stepchild between them, had hysterectomies on the same day by the same surgeon. In December last year, they were admitted to a hospital in northern England where Dr. Alan Gillespie carried out keyhole surgery in three consecutive operations. Now, Mrs. Kavanagh and Mrs. Lambert are to follow their sister’s example by having mastectomies, too.

“We feel we are fortunate because we can do something about it,” Mrs. King said. “We all want to be here to see our kids grow up.”

Mrs. Kavanagh, who has two children and a stepson, said, “We are positive, upbeat people and because we know about the gene, we can do something about it. At least we have a choice.

“We are in the strange position of currently being healthy but going through drastic surgery. But there is some comfort because all three are in the same situation together and we are able to help each other.”

Dr. Gillespie said greater awareness and developments in genetic screening meant that more women were having the tests. “Some women decide to do nothing, especially if they are young, as their risk of developing cancer is lower and they may want a family,” he said. “But they may consider other options later.”

Carrying BRCA1 or 2, does not mean that a woman will definitely contract breast or ovarian cancer, but it greatly increases the likelihood.

My bold.

I've thought of having my breasts docked, but .... Jesus! Vanity be thy name.

Oh! ... and you can bet your bottom tax dollar .... universal healthcare is in play.