Sarah Beeny reveals she's undergone gene testing after cancer battle

Sarah Beeny reveals she’s undergone gene testing to determine her family’s risk of developing cancer after her own battle with the disease

Sarah Beeny has revealed she’s undergone gene testing to determine her family’s risk of developing cancer, after her own battle with the disease.

The TV presenter, 51, was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2022 and underwent gruelling chemotherapy, as well as a double mastectomy. 

But the star has been incredibly open about her journey and in a recent interview with The Mirror she discussed how she has now discovered she has a gene mutation which made her more likely to get the disease. 

The results of the tests solidified Sarah’s decision to get a double mastectomy rather than a single as the gene meant she had a 50/50 chance of getting cancer again in the future in the breast that wasn’t already affected. 

It also meant there is a 50/50 chance she will pass the gene on to her children, sons Billy, 18, Charlie, 16, Rafferty, 14, and Laurie, 12.

Health update: Sarah Beeny, 51, has revealed the results of a gene test which determined her family’s risk of developing breast cancer following her own battle with the disease

Results: Sarah tested positive for PALB2, meaning there is a 50/50 chance she will pass it on the her children (pictured with her husband Graham Swift and her children Billy, 18,  Laurie, 12, Charlie, 16, and Rafferty, 14 (pictured in April) 

Sarah discovered that while she was negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2, she tested positive for PALB2, which could have wider implications for her children and potential future grandchildren. 

After the results of the test some of the star’s family members decided to also get tested. 

Her brother Diccon tested negative but her four sons are yet to get tested, while she also passed the information onto her auntie and cousins.

Sarah explained; ‘I gave them the control, it’s up to them what they do with it. It’s a very personal decision. I like the control, others may not want to know.’ 

As well as opting for a double mastectomy, the star also intends to have her ovaries removed. 

Explaining that the gene also means she has a marginal increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, she has decided that as it is only a day surgery and she is done having children she is booked in to have them removed. 

In her new book The Simple Life: How I  Found Home, the star spoke candidly about her cancer journey but said: ‘It’s just one thing in my life that’s over now. I don’t want it to be the one thing that people think about me in 10 years time.’ 

The property ladder presenter appeared on BBC Breakfast last month as she discussed how grateful she felt to have completed her treatment. 

Surgery: The results of the tests solidified Sarah’s decision to get a double mastectomy rather than a single as the gene meant she had a 50/50 chance of getting cancer again in the future in the breast not already affected (pictured during her cancer battle)

‘I’m really lucky. I had a very lucky diagnosis, I’m lucky to live in the UK and I’m lucky to have the NHS. Lucky to be the age I am, so many things I’m grateful for to be honest,’ Sarah said.

She said she still felt like the same person after her ordeal, but admitted it opened a ‘box of demons’ she was forced to confront.

She said: ‘I was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, and honestly it didn’t really change me at all.

‘I mean it did obviously, because I had to go through treatment. But I would hate to think I’m a different person now.’

She admitted: ‘I’m probably a lot less nervous of cancer now, because it was like the big bad wolf and now I’m like you just deal with it.

‘The earlier the diagnosis the better the outcome, so you just need to get to the doctor quick.

‘Treatment is amazing compared to 40 years ago and in 40 years’ time it really will be nothing.’

Source: Read Full Article