Sisters remain vigilant in health care following mother's breast cancer death

Before she died, she made the girls promise they would get tested for the BRCA gene to see if they were at risk.

News 12 Staff

Oct 26, 2021, 11:09 PM

Updated 1,144 days ago

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Lynbrook mom Lisa Baron was diagnosed with breast cancer when her daughters, twins Lauren and Megan, were 10 and older sister Kaitlin was 12. 
The Baron sisters spent most of their childhood watching their mom battle breast cancer. Before she died, she made the girls promise they would get tested for the BRCA gene to see if they were at risk. 
"She said I want you guys to promise me that you will get tested. And do whatever you have to do. I don't want you to wait around. You have to stay on top of yourselves," says Kaitlin.
The girls describe their mother as being strong and acting as if nothing was wrong. 
“She was the strongest person that we knew,” says Lauren.
Throughout the nine years she had it, the cancer returned seven times. Lisa never missed a moment of their lives during her illness. 
"She knew that she needed to make this life for us and did what she could," says Lauren.
Lisa died six years ago at 46. She was BRCA positive. Lauren and Megan have the gene. Kaitlin does not. They remain proactive with their health care, making sure they get their scans, exams and checkups. There may be preventative surgeries down the road. 
The Baron sisters continue to live full lives and believe their mom is always with them. 
“I think she'd be so proud of how far we've come and everything we're doing to honor and remember her,” says Megan.
The sisters are active with several groups, including the American Cancer Society and FORCE which is dedicated to helping those dealing with hereditary cancer.