Cecile Basson, a Johannesburg woman who had both her breasts surgically removed at the age of 26, was told afterwards by her oncologist that her breasts had been a "ticking time bomb" and it would have been "only a matter of time" before she developed breast cancer.
When she was 23, Basson was tested to determine if she carried the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations that are responsible for 5% to 10% of breast cancers. She tested positive for BRCA2, which increases the risk of breast cancer to as high as 80%
Basson's grandmother died of breast cancer in her early thirties.
Three years after her test, in 2010, Basson had her breasts removed.
Basson said yesterday that she felt good that Angelina Jolie was raising awareness about the procedure.
Basson's oncologist, Carol-Ann Benn, called the operation "risk-reducing surgery" because mastectomies do not imply a 100% guarantee against breast cancer.
About 98% of the breast tissue is removed during surgery.
Basson said: "I miss my old nipples . I am missing an erogenous zone, but I love my body. I think the shape of my new breasts is better."
Johannesburg cancer specialist Devon Moodley s aid some women carrying theBRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation chose not to remove their breasts.
"'They do what all women should do: check their breasts for lumps once a month and have a yearly mammogram."
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