Hicksville woman shares journey of hereditary cancer risk, IVF and preventative surgery
Melanie Cohen has always been worried about her family's medical history. She decided to undergo genetic testing. But her fears came true.
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This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a Hicksville woman is sharing her journey through hereditary cancer risk, IVF and preventative surgery.
Melanie Cohen has always been worried about her family's medical history.
"My dad, as well as his two sisters and brother have the BRCA2 gene, which he got from his mother," she says.
She decided to undergo genetic testing.
But her fears came true.
"Once I found out I had this gene, I was being tested for breast cancer every six months," says Cohen.
Cohen had a preventative double mastectomy, which doctors say significantly reduced her risk of breast cancer.
"I don't live in fear anymore. It's kind of like a sense of freedom, not having to worry every single time I was getting screened," says Cohen.
After difficult medical milestones, she's now happy about a new one.
"We had a beautiful baby boy. His name is Emmett," she says.
Cohen went through a year of IVF. Doctors were able to select BRCA-negative embryos, ensuring that her child wouldn't inherit the mutation.
"As the technology has advanced and we've gotten better at extended culture and different techniques in the lab, the pregnancy rates have increased," says Dr. Christine Mullins, chief of Northwell Fertility.
"Knowing that he doesn't have this gene is a wonderful thing, knowing that he won't have to worry because even with men, you can get breast cancer," says Cohen.
Now, Cohen wants to share her story in hopes of inspiring other families going through something similar.
"Knowledge is power. Getting tested allows you to take this information and save your life before cancer can take it," says Cohen.
