Lee-on-Solent mum has breasts removed to try to prevent her developing cancer

Carly Mackie took the decision to have the drastic surgery having watched her mother, Anne Ford, battle ovarian cancer for two years. Anne died on March 31.

Now 35-year-old Carly is speaking out as it is World Health Day.

Carly, from Lee-on-the-Solent, said: ‘Mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October 2013, and because her mother had died of breast cancer and I have two cousins that have had it the doctors suggested my sister and I be tested to see if we carried the same cancer gene,’

She had gene testing at the end of 2014 and it was discovered she was a carrier of cancerous BRCA2.

Carrying the gene means she has a 90 per cent chance of developing breast cancer and a 40 per cent chance of developing ovarian cancer in the future.

Considering her mother was fighting the same disease at the time of the results, Carly decided to go ahead with surgery.

The double mastectomy and hysterectomy took place last spring.

She said: ‘To my relief my sister was not a carrier.

‘But when I told my mum that I carried the gene she was naturally upset and blamed herself, which I thought was unnecessary but as a mother to two daughters I could understand it.

‘I’m terrified that my daughters will carry the gene but as they’re six and two I’m convincing myself that by the time they’re 18 there will be some kind of futuristic pill that they will take instead to eliminate getting cancer.’

She added: ‘I’m very pragmatic and pick myself up very quickly.’

Carly believes she is fortunate that she was able to have both the gene detected and both operations in her 30s.

‘I’m the perfect age for it. I have had my “no responsibilities” fun years.

‘I’m married to Dean and have two children.

‘My daughters could be tested at 18 and then have to make the mastectomy and hysterectomy decision before they have even lived.

‘I’d hate to think they may change their path in life because of carrying the gene.’