Gen Zer Learned of Dire Prognosis Aged 18, Then She Had a Choice To Make
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/@cay.bennett
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 (@cay.bennett), 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!"
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Astrocytic gamma-aminobutyric acid dysregulation as a therapeutic target for posttraumatic stress disorder. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 10(1), 240.
