About
My sister and I at the FORCE Conference in May of last year.
My name is Lisa and I’m a 23-year-old woman living and working in NYC. I’ve lost many family members in the past few years to cancer, which is why our family decided to get tested for the BRCA mutation. I found out I had the BRCA 2 mutation a few years ago. This puts my lifetime risk of developing breast cancer somewhere between 80-90% and my risk of ovarian cancer at around 30-40%. It’s also much more likely that I’ll develop cancer at a young age. Luckily, I know about these crazy stastics and I’m empowered by this information. I have all of the tools necessary to lead a long, happy life. 
I’m currently working as the Program Coordinator for Women At Risk, an organization that works to enhance the lives of women at high risk for the development of breast cancer and women with breast cancer through research, education and support.
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1.
Lisa | March 23, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Just found your blog….keep spreading the word. Would be great if you joined our group on Facebook called The Previvors. We are also on twitter under ThePrevivors. Keep posting important info to help others
2.
Amy Rauch Neilson | May 22, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Hi Lisa! I just found your blog — great work! I am BRCA 1 positive and a breast cancer survivor — check out my blog at:
http://www.itsinthegenes.wordpress.com
I’d love to chat with you sometime!
3.
Amy Rauch Neilson | May 23, 2009 at 9:21 am
Lisa! I added your blog to my blogroll! I’m getting the hang of this blogging software!
4.
Dee | June 15, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Hi there, I’m a BRCA blogger too. I’m new to all of this so still in the “decision stage”. Still looking around the internet for support. It’s nice to meet you!
5.
lisaelaineh | June 16, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Nice to meet you too! I love your blog title.
We can be mutants together.
6.
Briana | July 10, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Hello, just stumbled across your blog! I am BRCA 1 positive, my mom has had breast cancer and ovarian cancer. I was doing a search on the BRCA gene because I recently found out the baby I am carrying is a girl! Yay! But scary. I am only 25 but I am having my children younger than planned so my husband and I can move on to the more aggressive steps. My cousin was only 26 when she was diagnosed so sometimes I feel like the clock is ticking against me…
thanks for writing
7.
Teri Smieja | August 10, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Hi, like the others who left comments for you, I also stumbled across your blog. I really enjoyed reading it, and a lot of what you’ve written is very similar to feelings/thought that I’ve had and blogged about as well. Oh, btw, I’m BRCA1+. Anyway, like Lisa said above, there are quite a lot of previvors on facebook, as well as the BRCA Umbrella site that you mentioned in one of your posts.
8.
Court | August 21, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I just wanted to ask that you keep up the blog! My family carries that BRCA gene (though I have not yet been tested) and I’m always interested in hearing first hand accounts. I’ll be add your blog to my google reader!
Thanks !
9.
Andrea | October 5, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Love your blog! Thank you so much for sharing your story. I have recently been doing research on BRCA1 and have felt so overwhelmed. This is a great resource.
10.
Erika Carlson | December 15, 2009 at 9:37 pm
hi, I just found your blog and I feel like I might have met you somewhere but don’t know. I am also a nonprofit management person, taking time off to raise kids, and also do cancer treatment this year (not part of the plan!). I’m BRCA1+.
Have we met? my maiden name is Erika VanNynatten, have lived in Boulder, CO, Seattle, WA, Tacoma WA and North Carolina as a child.
Erika