Happy National Previvor Day
I’ve had so many mixed feelings since finding out I have the PALB2 gene that puts me at risk for cancer...
It’s strange to go to all the cancer centers and meet all the cancer doctors when I DON’T have cancer. I feel like I don’t really belong. And that feeling is exacerbated by not knowing many others who also have a gene predisposition.
I wonder if there are many others in the same boat as me who don’t share because maybe they feel like they don’t belong either? Or because they feel strange justifying their choice of preventative surgery vs. surveillance?
Maybe they don’t share because they’re afraid of being told, “Well, at least you don’t have cancer.” I often find myself holding back from sharing my fears about surgery because of that.
Yes, I am grateful I am not a cancer survivor and I want to do everything I can to avoid cancer...but that doesn’t make this situation easier to stomach.
In my feelings of isolation, I do what many do – turn to Google. LOL. That’s when I stumbled upon the term “previvor.”
The meaning of the word “previvor” is a “survivor of a predisposition to cancer.” Previvors are people living with an inherited mutation who have never been diagnosed with cancer.
YES! Where are all my previvors at?!
Today (September 26th) happens to be National Previvor Day. Just knowing there’s a whole day dedicated to what I’m experiencing makes me feel less isolated.
I also want to say THANK YOU to those who have gone through cancer and reached out to me to share your mastectomy experiences. Thank you for acknowledging the fear and complexity of these surgeries and for AFFIRMING that cancer sucks and to do what I can to avoid it.
Happy National Previvor Day. We’re not alone ❤️