Latest news with #BRCA2
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Why Aussie mum Robyn Smith is running bare-chested in Sydney's City2Surf
Canberra mother-of-three Robyn Smith will make a bold statement at this year's City2Surf by running the 14-kilometre course topless. The 46-year-old will be displaying the scars of her double mastectomy to raise awareness for those who 'go flat' after having their breasts removed. Smith, who has a long history of cancer in her family, is also collecting donations for the organisation Inherited Cancers Australia, where she works. In 2012, Smith discovered that she had the gene mutation BRCA2, which dramatically increases the chances of developing ovarian and breast cancer. Smith's mother had recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, so she decided to take the step of getting her breasts, fallopian tubes and ovaries removed. 'One in 400 Australians have a gene mutation like I do,' she told NewsWire. 'That's heaps of people who are facing these challenges.' Smith will have the words 'flat out of funding' painted across her scars, which she says relates to the shortage of donations that Inherited Cancers Australia is getting. 'You've got families that have watched generation after generation after generation in the same family be impacted by cancer,' she said. 'You know the demand of genetic testing is just continuing to go through the roof.' Smith, who was inspired by UK runner Louise Butcher who has run the London Marathon twice bearing her mastectomy scars, wants to start conversations about cancer prevention. 'When I first found out I had a gene mutation, I leaned so much on ICA for information and connection to other people with gene mutations,' she said. 'This organisation was instrumental in helping me be proactive with my cancer risk – a privilege that others in my family were not afforded. 'Living with and working in the inherited cancer space means I see firsthand the impact that organisations like ours can have on someone in this position. It's great to be able to give back through running.' Smith says she also wants to normalise 'being flat'.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
‘Ticking time bomb': Why Canberra mum is running City2Surf topless
When Canberra mum-of-three Robyn Smith learnt that she was a recipient of the cancer gene that gave her an overwhelming risk of developing breast cancer, she decided to undergo a mastectomy. This Sunday, she is joining 90,000 others in the 2025 Voltaren City2Surf, which starts in Sydney's CBD and ends in Bondi, in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Inherited Cancers Australia. Except, she's going one step further to raise awareness – by running the race topless. It was 2012 when then 33-year-old Robyn learnt that she and seven relatives had the mutation BRCA2, an inherited gene that increases the risk of breast cancer by 70 per cent and ovarian cancer by 40 per cent. 'One in 400 Australians have a gene mutation like I do,' she told NewsWire. 'That's heaps of people who are facing these challenges.' The same year she underwent her genetic testing, her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her mother's diagnosis was part of a long history of cancer in Robyn's family. Robyn's grandmother died from breast cancer before she was born, and her cousin was later hit with the same diagnosis. Her uncle was diagnosed with prostate cancer not long after. Cancer runs in Robyn's family, so she decided to take matters into her own hands and outrun it herself. Soon after learning of her gene mutation, Robyn turned to Inherited Cancers Australia (ICA), which offered her risk-reduction information and a community to lean on along the way. 'This organisation was instrumental in helping me be proactive with my cancer risk – a privilege that others in my family were not afforded,' she said. Women with BRCA are advised to remove their breasts, ovaries and fallopian tubes in their 30s and 40s to reduce the risk of developing cancer. So in 2018, a few months shy of her 40th birthday, Robyn underwent her risk-reducing mastectomy. 'I am proud of my decision and how I go about living my best flat life while also shining a light on the realities of living with the ticking time bomb of inherited cancer risk,' she said. As a long fan of running, and in an effort to raise awareness of inherited cancer genes and the ICA, she will be bravely running topless at the Sunday race to 'do something bold and brave' to raise awareness for inherited cancer genes and the ICA She was inspired by UK flat advocate Louise Butcher, known as the Topless Runner, who twice participated in the London Marathon bearing it all. Not even the threat of wet weather can dim Robyn's shine, as she hopes to 'show that women can be flat, strong, and unapologetic'. 'Every day, 35 people in Australia undergo Medicare-funded genetic testing,' she said. 'More people are finding out they have inherited cancer risk. But too often, they're left to figure out the next steps on their own.' The ICA is the only Australian charity dedicated to inherited cancer risk, offering support and recourse for people unsure where to turn. However, with no federal funding, the charity is in desperate need of support, which inspired Robyn to run topless with the words 'Flat out funding' painted across her chest. 'Living with and working in the inherited cancer space means I see first hand the impact that organisations like ours can have on someone in this position,' she said. 'It's great to be able to give back through running.'
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
‘Ticking time bomb': Woman's bold act
When Canberra mum-of-three Robyn Smith learnt that she was a recipient of the cancer gene that gave her an overwhelming risk of developing breast cancer, she decided to undergo a mastectomy. This Sunday, she is joining 90,000 others in the 2025 Voltaren City2Surf, which starts in Sydney's CBD and ends in Bondi, in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Inherited Cancers Australia. Except, she's going one step further to raise awareness – by running the race topless. Robyn has undergone a risk-reducing mastectomy. Supplied Credit: Supplied The Canberra mum is running this year's City2Surf topless. Supplied Credit: Supplied It was 2012 when then 33-year-old Robyn learnt that she and seven relatives had the mutation BRCA2, an inherited gene that increases the risk of breast cancer by 70 per cent and ovarian cancer by 40 per cent. 'One in 400 Australians have a gene mutation like I do,' she told NewsWire. 'That's heaps of people who are facing these challenges.' The same year she underwent her genetic testing, her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her mother's diagnosis was part of a long history of cancer in Robyn's family. Robyn's grandmother died from breast cancer before she was born, and her cousin was later hit with the same diagnosis. Her uncle was diagnosed with prostate cancer not long after. Cancer runs in Robyn's family, so she decided to take matters into her own hands and outrun it herself. Robyn (left) had a risk-reducing mastectomy shortly before turning 40. Supplied Credit: Supplied Soon after learning of her gene mutation, Robyn turned to Inherited Cancers Australia (ICA), which offered her risk-reduction information and a community to lean on along the way. 'This organisation was instrumental in helping me be proactive with my cancer risk – a privilege that others in my family were not afforded,' she said. Women with BRCA are advised to remove their breasts, ovaries and fallopian tubes in their 30s and 40s to reduce the risk of developing cancer. So in 2018, a few months shy of her 40th birthday, Robyn underwent her risk-reducing mastectomy. 'I am proud of my decision and how I go about living my best flat life while also shining a light on the realities of living with the ticking time bomb of inherited cancer risk,' she said. The avid runner will bare it all this Sunday. Supplied Credit: Supplied As a long fan of running, and in an effort to raise awareness of inherited cancer genes and the ICA, she will be bravely running topless at the Sunday race to 'do something bold and brave' to raise awareness for inherited cancer genes and the ICA She was inspired by UK flat advocate Louise Butcher, known as the Topless Runner, who twice participated in the London Marathon bearing it all. Not even the threat of wet weather can dim Robyn's shine, as she hopes to 'show that women can be flat, strong, and unapologetic'. 'Every day, 35 people in Australia undergo Medicare-funded genetic testing,' she said. She is raising awareness for Inherited Cancers Australia, which offers support and guidance for those with inherited cancer genes. Supplied Credit: Supplied Robyn will have 'flat out funding' painted across her chest. Supplied Credit: Supplied The ICA is the only Australian charity dedicated to inherited cancer risk, offering support and recourse for people unsure where to turn. However, with no federal funding, the charity is in desperate need of support, which inspired Robyn to run topless with the words 'Flat out funding' painted across her chest. 'Living with and working in the inherited cancer space means I see first hand the impact that organisations like ours can have on someone in this position,' she said. 'It's great to be able to give back through running.'
9 News
4 days ago
- Health
- 9 News
Running bare: Canberra mum to share powerful City2Surf message
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Amid the throng of 90,000 runners tackling the Voltaren City2Surf this weekend, Robyn Smith will be carrying a deeply personal message. The Canberra mother-of-three will run the 14-kilometre course from Sydney's CBD to Bondi Beach topless. Painted over her mastectomy scars will be the words, "Flat out for funding". Robyn Smith will run this weekend's Voltaren City2Surf with a message painted over mastectomy scars. (Supplied: Robyn Smith) Smith said the statement was not just about her own journey with inherited cancer; it was also aimed at raising awareness for the often-unexplored choice of "going flat" after a mastectomy. The 46-year-old is collecting much-needed donations for the patient advocacy organisation where she works, Inherited Cancers Australia. While she was feeling nervous about the run, Smith said she was inspired by UK flat advocate Louise Butcher, who has twice completed the London Marathon bare-chested to represent the thousands of women "living flat" without breasts. Smith, 46, was pregnant with her second child back in 2012 when she discovered she had inherited a "ticking time bomb" - the BRCA2 gene mutation. Women with the gene mutation have a 70 percent chance of developing breast cancer and a 17 percent risk of ovarian cancer. "My mum died of ovarian cancer and my grandma died of breast cancer. My cousins had breast cancer, and my uncles had prostate cancer - we are all BRCA gene mutation carriers," Smith said. To reduce her risk of developing cancer, Smith chose to have a mastectomy, which was followed by a breast reconstruction. Smith, 46, discovered she had inherited the BRCA2 mutation back in 2012. (Supplied: Robyn Smith) In a story similar for many women, Smith said she was never really told much about the option of "going flat" before the surgery. Instead, Smith was only provided with a "really nice glossy brochure about reconstruction, and nothing else." For Smith, it was almost assumed that getting breast implants was the option she would take. She had breast implants put in and for 13 months, suffered from a cascade of debilitating symptoms she now attributes to breast implant illness. "My hair was falling out. I had extreme fatigue, memory loss, brain fog, and one of my blood markers — my autoimmune, the ANA marker — went through the roof," she said. The symptoms became so severe that she had the implants removed after 13 months. Almost immediately after "going flat", her health began to improve dramatically. "Within a few weeks, lots of my symptoms started to reside and everything went back to normal," Smith said. Her experience highlights a lack of education and choice for women undergoing mastectomies. According to a Flinders University study , published last month, about 20 percent of women were not told about the option of "going flat" before surgery. A further 18 per cent were told, but only after they asked about it. Robyn Smith, pictured running in a previous City2Surf. (Supplied: Robyn Smith) "Flat is a valid option, just as valid as reconstruction," Smith said, adding that thousands of Australians live happily and confidently without reconstructing their breasts. For Smith, her run is also a tribute to her family, who weren't given the same choices. She feels "really fortunate to have had information that they didn't have," and while she is running for a serious cause, she expects her mum would had an amused reaction. "Sometimes I think my mum must be up there just rolling her eyes and thinking, 'What are you doing?'" she said. The second message of her run is also a plea for help. Smith and her colleagues at Inherited Cancers Australia are struggling to secure funding for the patient advocacy group, which has never received federal government support. She hopes her bold action will grab the attention of corporate sponsors who might be willing to "support the little guy". The organisation provides crucial psychosocial support for families with inherited cancer risk, an issue that affects one in 400 Australians. "I am doing this because I feel like we've exhausted a lot of other avenues," she said. "We're doing something bold like this because we're a small charity without sustainable funding." Smith says she has two messages she will be carrying to Bondi this Sunday. "One of them is written on my chest, and the other is my chest." health national Sydney cancer Australia Health Services Breast Cancer CONTACT US Auto news: Honda here to stay in Australia, announces growth plans.
Newsweek
03-08-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Gen Zer Learned of Dire Prognosis Aged 18, Then She Had a Choice To Make
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A brave Gen Z woman has shared the reason why she underwent a double mastectomy at 26 online. About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). However, women like Cay Bennett with the BRCA1 genetic mutation have a significantly increased risk—an estimated 55–65 percent will develop breast cancer before the age of 70. Newsweek spoke to Bennett, who had surgery to remove both of her breasts on July 25 despite being perfectly healthy. She told Newsweek: "I definitely grieved the idea of my body changing, but it always came back to one thought: If I wait and end up getting cancer, I'll only wish I'd done this sooner." (L-R) Bennett wearing a boob tube on the beach. More recently in hospital ahead of the mastectomy surgery. (L-R) Bennett wearing a boob tube on the beach. More recently in hospital ahead of the mastectomy surgery. Cay Bennett/TikTok/@ Understanding the BRCA Gene The NBCF explains BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes that help repair damaged DNA and prevent cancer. Everyone has these genes but when they become mutated, they can significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Approximately 1 in 400 people carry a BRCA gene mutation. These mutations impair the gene's ability to repair DNA, raising the likelihood of developing cancer—particularly breast cancer at a younger age. A Family History That Shaped Her Choice Bennett, an aesthetician and content creator from Liverpool, England, told Newsweek that her aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer at 29 years old. She recalls: "I was only around seven years old, but I remember how deeply it impacted all of us. Cancer is one of the most terrifying words in the world." Bennett added that her aunt beat cancer for a second time and her mom had a health scare and underwent a hysterectomy and a double mastectomy. She said: "Watching both of these incredibly strong women in my family go through something so traumatic and still come out the other side gave me a very clear perspective. "I didn't want to wait until it was too late. Knowing my family history and having two women I love go through so much made my decision to go ahead with BRCA testing and eventually my own preventative double mastectomy feel like the right choice. "It wasn't an easy decision but it was easier knowing I had their strength in me." Delays and Difficult Decisions Bennett tested positive for the gene aged 18 but was unable to get the surgery until this year due to the pandemic and hospital delays. She said: "Even though I'd prepared myself for that possibility for years, nothing really prepares you for actually reading that letter. "The weight of the decisions you now must make about your future at 18 years old is very overwhelming. "But I felt a relief that I knew, and that it was in my power to take control however I wanted to and that in itself was quite empowering. "I decided to really lean into that mindset, and it's been my driving force ever since." She told Newsweek that her aunt's battle with cancer made the decision easier to make. "I knew I didn't want to wait until I was in her position if I had the chance to do something before that," she said. Sharing Her Journey Online Bennett has been sharing her journey on TikTok (@ racking up thousands of views on her clips. She said: "What motivated me to share my story is honestly the thought of any other girls out there feeling alone, scared, unsure and knowing that hearing my story may make them feel a little more empowered. "If me sharing my story can help even one person feel more educated, informed or empowered then it makes all of this worth it for me." Indeed, she has received a sea of support on her pre-operation video, which has over 31,000 views and many kind comments. "You are so brave, wishing you a speedy recovery," said one user, and another wrote: "Very proud you are so amazing and such an inspiration!"
