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Cancer

Kara Tointon Reveals Double Mastectomy Due to BRCA1 Gene

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Kara Tointon, the 41-year-old former EastEnders star, recently revealed that she had a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with the BRCA1 gene. This genetic mutation significantly increases a person's risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer. Tointon had the surgery after her mother, Carol, passed away from ovarian cancer in 2019. Her mother had been diagnosed in 2018, prompting Tointon to take a genetics test, which revealed that she was a carrier of the BRCA1 gene.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kara Tointon, a former EastEnders star, had a double mastectomy due to her BRCA1 gene status.
  • Her mother, Carol, had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2018, prompting Tointon to take the genetics test.
  • Tointon is at a greater risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer due to the BRCA1 gene.
  • The actress had the procedures last year, after having her second child in 2021, and was invited to various meetings by the NHS to become informed about her options.
  • She will probably need her ovaries removed at a later date for preventative surgery.
  • Tointon is an ambassador for the gynaecological cancer charity, The Eve Appeal, and posted the video to raise awareness of the preventative measures she took.
  • Around one in 1000 women across the UK have a BRCA1 variant, but most breast and ovarian cancers happen due to chance damage to genes.
  • Kara Tointon is best known for playing Dawn Swann in EastEnders for four years from 2005.
  • Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy after learning she carried the BRCA1 gene following her mother's death from ovarian cancer.
  • Friends and followers, including actress Giavanna Fletcher and Charley Webb, have been supportive of Tointon's decision to speak out about her story.

Statistics:

  • 1 in 1000 women across the UK have a BRCA1 variant.
  • Kara Tointon had two children before having the preventative surgeries.
  • The actress took the genetics test in 2018, after her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
  • 2019: Kara's mother passed away from ovarian cancer.
  • 2021: Kara had her second child.
  • 2022: Friends and followers, including actress Giavanna Fletcher and Charley Webb, praised Tointon for sharing her story.

Sources:

  • Byline: JANINE YAQOOB KARA Tointon has revealed that she had a double mastectomy after learning she was a carrier of a high-risk cancer gene.
  • The Eve Appeal

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