Psychologist Nova Cobban, 43, was surprised to find out she had a higher risk for developing cancer after undergoing genetic testing. The wife and mother was having stomach issues last year and decided to see what could be causing her discomfort. Initially worried about food allergies, she then discovered she had the BRCA2 gene mutation, which can be an early indicator of developing breast or ovarian cancer.

The process was simple I sent off a mouth swab and three months later, in July 2021, the results arrived. But when I opened the app, I noticed the cancer section had a warning flag, Nova said in an interview. I wasnt especially worried it could have been anything so I flicked through.

Even though Nova is well-equipped to handle such information considering what she does for a living, she still said it was hard to take in.

I was aware of Angelina Jolie s story but I didnt immediately equate this finding to needing preventative surgery like her, she said. Initially, I felt nonplussed not anxious.

Related: Angelina Jolie On Her Mastectomy Decision Im More Likely To Meet My Grandchildren And The Scars Are Positive Reminders

In 2013, Jolie bravely shared that she had had a preventative mastectomy and hysterectomy after finding out she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation, which put the mom-of-six at a higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Jolies decision was also largely due to losing her own mother Marcheline to ovarian cancer at age 56.

The famous previvor raised awareness about genetic testing and paved the way for women around the world to follow suit to protect their health.

Related: Actress Angelina Jolie Lost Her Mom to Ovarian Cancer 14 Years Ago; How Jolie Becoming a Previvor Helped Others

While Jolie inherited her cancer risk from her mother, Nova determined that her risk was likely passed down from her fathers side.

I knew Dads mum had died quite young and was vaguely aware shed had breast cancer, she explained of her familys health history. However, Id had no idea the BRCA2 gene could be passed down the paternal line.

What is a BRCA Mutation?

Nova began her research, and found that she could remove her breasts, ovaries and fallopian tubes. She had a talk with her husband, Mark, about how these surgeries could potentially affect their relationship, physically and emotionally. Although the choice was hers alone, she valued his thoughts on the decision, and luckily had his full support.

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He said, Look, were married, weve got kids, the last thing we want is to lose you because you havent done this. Of course I wont hate you. Im not saying its not going to be tricky but the alternative is that you could die.

What Are the Options if You Have a High Risk of Developing Breast Cancer?

Nova aims to remove her breasts by the end of this year, but is more concerned of her ovarian cancer risk and getting the ball rolling in that direction as well. Overall, she is handling her health situation with grace under pressure.

Being a psychotherapist means I have the toolkit to cope with stress like this, and am used to dealing with patients going through similar situations, but I also want to show him this can be dealt with pragmatically.

More and more women are learning about the BRCA genes and preventative surgeries, but Nova especially wants people to know that this risk can also be inherited from their fathers side, which many are often surprised to find.

What is aBRCA mutation? BRCA (a breast cancer gene mutation) is actually two genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2), each proteins that work as tumor suppressors. They help repair damaged DNA, and are important for ensuring the stability of each cells genetic material.

When either of these genes is altered, that mutation can mean that its protein product does not function properly, or that damaged DNA may not be repaired correctly. Theseinherited mutationsin BRCA1 and BRCA2 can increase the risk of female breast and ovarian cancers, and have also been associated with increased risks for several other cancers.

Related: Arizona Womens Cancer Doctor Decides To Have Double Mastectomy Due to Family History, Even Though She DOESNT Have The BRCA Gene

Dr. Rebecca Arend, Associate Scientist at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, explains the mutation in terms of its ability to repair damaged DNA.

What a BRCA mutation is, is a defect in your ability to repair a double-strand break (in your DNA), Dr. Arend tells SurvivorNet. The BRCA mutation, which is passed on from a father or a mother, can cause a variety of cancers, including fallopian tube and peritoneal cancer, which are ovarian cancers.

Related: The New Information About Beyonces Dads Breast Cancer The SurvivorNet Guide to BRCA and Inherited Breast Cancer Risk

Dr. Arend says that while roughly 1.3 percent of women in the general population will develop ovarian cancer sometime during their lives, it is estimated that about 44 percent of women who inherit a harmful BRCA1 mutation, and about 17 percent of women who inherit a harmful BRCA2 mutation, will develop ovarian cancer.

Genetic Testing and Ovarian Cancer

Specific mutations inBRCA geneslead to an increased risk of developing breast cancer. People who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer may want to consider being tested for mutations, particularly if the relative was diagnosed with cancer before age 50. If youve been diagnosed with a BRCA mutation, there are still steps you can take to lower your risk of developing a cancer.

Related: Major Advance: PARP Inhibitor Pill Extends Life For Women With High Risk Breast Cancer & BRCA Mutations

When I meet with women who are at an increased risk for breast cancer because of BRCA mutations, I like to talk about the three options that they have for managing their risk, says Dr. Freya Schnabel, Director of Breast Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center. Those options are:

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BRCA Gene Mutation Can Be Passed Down From Father's Side - SurvivorNet

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