I was diagnosed with breast cancer with no symptoms, no family history and no warning signs—just one test that changed everything. And now I want all women to know about it.
In February 2023, I took a genetic test to assess my risk for 90 different types of cancer. With negative results across the board and a clear routine mammogram, I considered herself healthy—I never believed I could have been living with breast cancer.
But my OB-GYN recommended I take one more test: the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT). The assessment is a questionnaire on the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) website and is one of two risk assessment quizzes available. These tools are designed for health care providers to use with their patients.
While the BCRAT does not give a diagnosis, the test allows health care providers to estimate a woman’s risk of developing invasive breast cancer over the next five years and up to age 90 (lifetime risk), according to the NCI.
I scored 37.3% on my BCRAT. Based on my results, my doctor ordered a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan to look for any signs of cancer that could have been missed in my routine mammogram. After an ultrasound and biopsy, I was diagnosed with stage one bilateral breast cancer—which may not have been caught until my next scheduled mammogram, according to my doctor.
On the day I was first diagnosed, I described it as, “an overwhelmingly scary day.”
To think about that moment, and then to be where I am today, it’s still emotional. It’s not something I, at the time, would have ever been able to predict would happen.
Bilateral breast cancer is when tumors (clumps of cancerous cells) are found in both breasts simultaneously. Just 30 days after my biopsy, I underwent a double mastectomy. Since my diagnosis, I have completed five surgeries, including an ovariectomy and hysterectomy, and began a five-year hormone treatment.
I became passionate about encouraging the other women in my life to take the BCRAT—especially my mother. The lifetime risk assessment saved my life and my mom’s. Like me, my mom had recently had a mammogram that came back normal.
But when my mom eventually took the assessment and scored a 26.2%, I insisted she get an MRI as well. This led to her diagnosis of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-Positive breast cancer.
Shortly after my diagnosis, I shared my story on social media, hoping to spread the word about the test I credit with saving my life by detecting my cancer early. My goal is to advocate for other people to take the same action.
As a successful actress, wife and mother I was touched to be honored at the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families® Program Annual Action for Cancer Awareness Awards Luncheon.
Receiving the Excellence in Cancer Awareness Award for raising awareness of breast cancer early detection and prevention was like winning the Oscar.
I was able to speak to an audience of members of Congress, congressional spouses, leaders in the cancer prevention community and Program supporters about my journey with breast cancer and the road that led to my diagnosis.
It was incredibly special to be standing there today sharing my unexpected journey and letting others know about how BCRAT played a role in getting me the help I needed to rid my body of the cancer that hadn’t been evident with the traditional breast exam or mammogram.
I knew that I wanted to speak out about it, but especially because I had a tool that was free that everyone could take.
According to the NCI, the rate of women taking the BCRAT has increased 4000% since I spoke out. After I learned about my diagnosis, I began thinking about all the other people in the world who believe themselves to be healthy, but in reality, have cancer growing in their bodies.
The most important thing I’ve learned through my breast cancer journey is how extensive the support system of other breast cancer patients is, and I truly want other people who are struggling to utilize the network.
I want them to know that they’re never in this fight alone. There is always someone that they can turn to and reach out to.
I hoped that by sharing my experience with the BCRAT and process with early detection, I would be able to help save other lives. It is about preventative care. We know how to stop it, and it needs to be done. It can’t be found at stage two or three or four anymore. Enough is enough.