Yvonne Cosgrove is all about prevention. For herself and her children, Phoebe and Jake.

Yvonne 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 of 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.

When Yvonne turned 40, she decided to be tested for the BRCA2 gene; it was a proactive choice, done as much for her children as it was for herself.

The test came back negative.

“My children are young, but it’s just as important to set that precedence to take care of yourself and protect yourself,” Yvonne says.

This commitment to health also led Yvonne to decide to vaccinate her son and daughter against HPV.

“This vaccination protects from several types of different cancers. Of course, I’m doing all I can to keep my son and daughter safe, and I’m grateful for this vaccine.”