Proactive Legacy : My Family's Battle with Cancer and Brca2

A Journey of Courage to Save Her Own Life... Many people were surprised and amazed when Angelina Jolie went public with the news that she had chosen to undergo a double mastectomy because genetic testing revealed that she had the BRCA gene mutation that put her at high risk for breast cancer. Because she is a famous actress and activist, more people than ever before became aware of the dangers and consequences of the BRCA gene. But extraordinary courage can be found anywhere...perhaps right in your community. Proactive Legacy is the personal story of Michelle Maxwell. She isn't famous: she's a wife, mother, daughter, niece...and she has the BRCA gene mutation. After witnessing her mother's painful and tragic death from breast cancer, Michelle was determined to beat the odds-not only for herself, but in her mother's honor, and to set an example for her own daughters, and for other women who live with the BRCA mutation. Michelle made the extremely difficult and life-altering decision to become a previvor of breast and ovarian cancer. In this inspiring and moving memoir, Michelle doesn't focus on medical terminology and scientific language: instead, she shares with you the emotional and psychological journey that she and her family shared as she underwent surgery to save her life before cancer had a chance to steal everything she had worked to achieve. A powerful testimonial to the benefits of genetic testing, Proactive Legacy is a supportive resource for women who want to learn more about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and about prophylactic surgeries. Michelle's decision to become empowered will resonate with all readers, and is especially meaningful to women, and to anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer.