A HAMPSHIRE mum who chose to have both of her breasts removed to drastically cut the chances of getting cancer that has ravaged her family is launching Race for Life in Southampton – and urging everyone to come and join her on the start line.

Gemma Braybrook watched her gran and two aunties battle breast cancer before having her own scare that led her to decide hers simply had to go.

The mum-of-two says she has research to thank for helping her discover she carries a fault in the BRCA 2 gene, which gives her approximately 70 per cent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and an estimated 20 per cent risk of ovarian cancer, and ultimately giving her a choice to take preventative action.

Gemma, 34, will be the VIP guest sending thousands of people over the start line at Race for Life on Southampton Common this summer and she is calling on women, children and - for the first time -men to sign up too and help raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

Gemma, business and events manager at Smallpiece Catering which she owns with her chef mum Ann, found out she had the BRCA 2 gene in August 2016 after having the genetic test because of the history of cancer in her family.

She was entered into a yearly screening programme.

The following year Gemma - mum of Olivia, 12 and eight-year-old Sophia - had her first cancer scare, after getting a call back when a scan showed something suspicious.

She said: “The next few months were very stressful as I had MRI scan after MRI scan. They couldn’t do a mammogram as the breast tissue was too dense.”

After months of waiting, in January 2017 Gemma was given the all clear, but by that point the worry and fear she may have cancer, combined with the knowledge that the chances of it happening were much higher than someone without the gene, led her to a life-changing decision.

Gemma said: “Those months of uncertainty had a profound effect on me and I just couldn’t deal with it any more.

“The cancer returned for both of my aunties and one of them is now terminally ill. She was so angry about what cancer was doing to her and our entire family and we have her to thank for pushing us to get tested.

“After finding out I was BRCA positive I thought about my daughters and decided I had to do what I could to minimise the risk and ensure I am around for them for as long as possible.”

Gemma who lives with husband Kev, 42, and their girls in Hedge End, added: “Initially I was quite resentful of discovering that I had the BRCA gene but now I see it as a blessing – the knowledge gave me choices.

“I decided straight away that I wanted to have a double mastectomy and started that process. It’s the best decision I have made.”

Gemma spent the next year going to back to back hospital appointments.

She said: “It does consume you. Looking back now I can see how badly it affected my mental health – I was a different person.

“It was far from a simple process – the doctors and psychologists want to make sure you have thought about all the implications and risks but I was 100 per cent sure.

“For me it wasn’t about losing the big breasts I have had since I was teenager – I have always been outgoing and confident and I was worried I would lose me or it would change my personality in some way.

“Of course there are nerves and you are apprehensive – it was a major operation that would change how I looked for the rest of my life. But my mum, Kev and all my family and friends were so supportive and made me realise my breasts didn’t define me and having them removed wouldn’t change me or my spirit. I also trusted my surgeon, Dr Nigel Horlocks, implicitly which was so important.

“When the surgery finally went ahead at the end of November last year they took my breasts and my anxiety with it. It was such a relief.”

Gemma was told that while she lives her life at a million miles an hour she had to slow down, respect the surgery give herself time to recover. After doing nothing but rest, including spending Christmas in her pyjamas on the couch, within six weeks she was back up and running.

Gemma said: “It was 100 per cent the right thing for me. I now feel the best, both mentally and physically, that I have done in years.

“My outlook is very different now. I no longer stress about the little things. The next step for me will be the hardest – having my ovaries removed to reduce my chances of getting ovarian cancer. It’s a very difficult thing to comprehend but I have time.”

She added: “If it wasn’t for research I wouldn’t have found out that I have the BRCA gene. Turn the clock back 30 years and scientists hadn’t made the discovery. I wouldn’t have had the choices I have to reduce my chances of getting cancer that has ravaged my family.

“That’s why we are all taking part in Race for Life and why funding research into cancer is so important – it’s to help families like ours in the future.”

This year, for the first time, Cancer Research UK is inviting everyone – women, men and children – to join the Race for Life.

Georgina Horne, Cancer Research UK’s Southampton event manager, said: “We are very grateful to Gemma and her entire family for their support.

“By following their lead, and joining the Race for Life in Hampshire, people can make a real difference in the fight against cancer.

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To enter Race for Life today visit raceforelife.org or call 0300 123 0770.

Race for Life events in Hampshire

Winchester:

Sunday May 26 – Race for Life 5k at North Walls Recreation Ground

Southampton:

Saturday June 22 – Pretty Muddy Kids and Pretty Muddy adults on Southampton Common

Sunday June 23 – Race for Life 5k and 10k