My mother, Cheryl, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2015 and has been consistently in and out of chemotherapy treatment since her diagnosis. After an evaluation of our family history, my mom, my brother, and I were tested for the BRCA gene mutation, and each of us tested positive. I decided to undergo preventative surgery to reduce my chances of an ovarian cancer diagnosis significantly. The surgeries included a complete hysterectomy and mastectomy with reconstruction.  I have two young children, a boy that is ten years old and a seven-year-old girl, that may also carry the BRCA mutation. 

I am climbing because I want women to have access to knowledge and resources to decide their fate, to understand how to identify early signs and symptoms of the disease, and to be supported by advancements in scientific research to make prevention, intervention, and treatment processes easier and more accessible. 

Every year, more than 21,000 Americans are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Six in 10 will die. But many cases can be prevented through early detection. More than 20 percent of ovarian cancers are caused by inherited genetic mutations that cause other cancers—breast, colon, pancreatic, uterine, melanoma, and prostate—and affect multiple generations. Identifying those at genetic risk could prevent more than 90 percent of cases. 

If you have questions about your family history, please reach out to a genetic counselor in your area.