Congresswoman Carries a BRCA2 mutation

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz recently announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and learned that she carries a BRCA2 mutation. She underwent a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and oophorectomy to greatly reduce the risk of a second primary breast cancer and a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

During her announcement she also proposed the EARLY Act, a national education campaign to increase awareness of breast cancer in younger women, 15-40. The bill would take into account the heightened risk some ethnic groups face – groups like Ashkenazi Jews, who are at an increased risk of carrying a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. The legislation also provides assistance to organizations to support young women diagnosed with breast cancer and help them get the assistance they need, including social and psychological support, fertility counseling and recurrence prevention training.

To watch her interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, please click on the above light blue link or visit abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7148603

The New York Times also featured her in an article. Please visit http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/fla-congresswoman-reveals-cancer-surgeries/?scp=1&sq=Wasserman%20Schultz%20&st=cse