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Rose and Charlotte TurpieBritish twin sisters agree to preventive mastectomies
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Twin Sisters Take Preemptive Mastectomies to Save Their Lives
- Double Mastectomy: A Life-Saving Choice
- The Emotional Journey: From Scars to Acceptance
- Facing the Future with Positivity
- Understanding the BRCA Gene Mutations
Twin Sisters Take Preemptive Mastectomies to Save Their Lives
Tragic Loss Sets Twins on Path to Preventative SurgeryRose and Charlotte Turpie, 27-year-old identical twins from Chinley, Derbyshire, faced a difficult decision when they discovered they had inherited the BRCA2 gene, a genetic mutation that significantly increases the risk of breast cancer. Determined to spare their father the pain of watching them succumb to the same disease that took their mother, they opted for prophylactic double mastectomies.
Double Mastectomy: A Life-Saving Choice
"I knew I was going to get tested," said Charlotte. "I knew I was going to have a double mastectomy if I had the gene." For the twins, undergoing the surgery together made the experience less isolating. "We would go through this together as twins or not at all," said Charlotte. "That way, no one would feel guilty."
Their father, Paul, supported their decision. "He didn't want us to go through what our mother went through," said Charlotte. "He thought what we were doing was the right thing." Rose added: "I feel like everything happens for a reason. For me, this has been an opportunity to stop what happened to my mum."
The Emotional Journey: From Scars to Acceptance
The twins underwent slightly different surgeries. Rose had immediate breast implants, while Charlotte opted to postpone hers. For Charlotte, seeing her scars post-surgery was a particularly emotional moment. "When I looked down, I knew it was going to be flat, but it was harder than I thought it was going to be," she said. "I talked myself into thinking I looked disgusting. But now I'm ready to show my scars. I'm proud of them. I think that was a lot to do with having my partner, Rob, to look after me that week."
Rose had always placed great value on her breasts. "They are my biggest asset," she said before the surgery. "Everyone knows me for my boobs. My boobs give me my confidence. That's how I see it. And now they're taking them away."
Facing the Future with Positivity
Despite the challenges, the twins have remained resolute in their positivity throughout a trying year. "Horrible things happened, but we need to look forward," said Rose. "We need to stay positive." Charlotte agrees: "Life throws you things. You might not like your body, or you might think your body doesn't look normal or how it should. It doesn't matter if you're fighting to live longer."
Understanding the BRCA Gene Mutations
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes. Mutations in these genes prevent the production of functional proteins that repair damaged DNA and maintain genomic integrity. Consequently, cells become more susceptible to genetic alterations, increasing the risk of cancer development, particularly breast cancer. The risk can reach up to 85%. Prophylactic surgery, such as mastectomies, can reduce cancer risk to as low as 12%, below the average population risk. Mutations can be inherited from either parent, with a 50% inheritance risk if a parent carries the mutation.
