Šárka Grossová confided in the Supechat show that she had to undergo three surgeries within six months. She lost both breasts, uterus and ovaries. “I had a tumor, but it was not malignant. But the mother had a malignant tumor. I was advised to take out as much as possible. I didn’t want to lose my breasts, no woman, but what can be done. One wants to stay healthy. I’ll give priority to health over aesthetics,” she confided.
Radana Labajová (43), a member of the legendary girl band Holki, also had a preventive mastectomy, i.e. the removal of the breasts, as well as the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. With this procedure, the singer tried to prevent hereditary cancer, which took the life of her relatives. Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie also admitted to preventive breast removal for the same reason in the past (48).
Gynecologist Roman Kocián
Author: Patient organization Veronica
Oncogynecologist Roman Kocián is closely involved in the mentioned issue and therefore also answered Blesk’s questions.
When do women undergo preventive organ removal on such a large scale?
Each person has genes in their cells, some of which are responsible for correcting genetic information. BRCA genes are among them (they are called breast cancer genes – BRCA). About 15% of women have them congenitally mutated, meaning they don’t work well.
If this gene is mutated, this woman has a high risk of developing cancer of various organs. In BRCA mutated genes, most often breast and ovarian cancer, but also other tumors. Therefore, they undergo preventive operations such as removal of the mammary glands, ovaries and fallopian tubes. The uterus is not usually removed in this case.
So I understand correctly that genetic tests are very important in these cases…
Every sick woman with ovarian cancer should undergo genetic testing. If the mutation is proven in the patient, the healthy relatives are further tested. Only those with a risk, i.e. a proven mutation, are recommended to have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a preventive measure, but not before the age of 35, when the individual risk exceeds the population risk. This preventive surgical removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes will protect them from the development of a malignant disease.
How do patients manage the whole situation mentally?
The most difficult thing is for healthy women with a proven mutation in their genes to decide on preventive surgery. It is difficult for them to accept a surgical intervention in their healthy organism. That is why they have support in preventive oncology clinics and clinics for women with a congenital predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer. The vast majority of those with a proven mutation will undergo preventive surgery. Ovarian cancer is a very serious disease, it is called a silent killer.
How will life change practically for women without organs such as breasts, ovaries, uterus? Do they use any hormonal preparations?
After the preventive removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, women use hormone replacement, which enables them to live a full and quality life. In this way, they avoid the symptoms resulting from a lack of estrogens, such as poor quality skin, hair, dry mucous membranes, bone thinning and heart and blood vessel disease.
The Veronica organization helps
The Veronica patient organization has long been dedicated to women who become ill with cancer of the cervix, ovaries, vulva or endometrium. It also helps patients who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, who are at high risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer.
Lucie had her breasts and ovaries removed due to a rare gene mutation Andrea Ulagová, Jan Jedlička
Gynecologist Roman Kocián
Author: Patient organization Veronica