Yvonne Cosgrove came to MD Anderson with a history of cancer in her family. Her grandmother had been diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer, her mother had died in 1994 from multiple myeloma and her aunt had the BRCA2 gene (a gene predisposed to form cancer). Yvonne discovered that she might have a genetic link to the BRCA2 gene as well.

She then entered into MD Anderson’s high-risk prevention program, which she was a part of for 10 years. This involved her coming in every six months for a full day of tests (bloodwork, ultrasound, mammogram, meeting with the doctor, GYN clinical visits) to maintain a constant update on her health. Yvonne believes this proactive choice was not only good for her physical health but provided peace of mind as well.

The high-risk program also educated her on how to look for signs as well as showed her how to take better care of herself physically. It was when Yvonne turned 40 that she decided to be tested to see if she did indeed have the BRCA2 gene. Again, a proactive choice that was as much for her daughter as it was for Yvonne. The test came back negative.

“I got the joyful call from Dr. Lu telling me I was negative. I called my sister. I told her. Then, she made an appointment to get tested. I said to her, “I can’t really celebrate until I know that you’re okay because we’re sort of in this together.” Her sister’s test was negative, too. Let the celebration begin.