Beaux Harris is a 29-year-old dancer and choreographer who was diagnosed with the BRCA1 genetic mutation two years ago, giving her a 90% chance of developing breast cancer and a 60% chance of ovarian cancer over her lifetime. She has been advised to undergo preventative surgery – a mastectomy and hysterectomy – within five years, but due to the lengthy NHS waiting lists of two to five years per procedure, the timeframe is not realistic for her. Beaux expresses her fear and frustration, feeling like she is being timed out and essentially waiting for cancer to strike. With a family history of BRCA-related cancers, Beaux is determined to break the cycle and speak out against the lack of timely treatment.
As King Charles highlights the importance of early diagnosis in cancer treatment, Beaux’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by BRCA patients who are often pushed behind breast and ovarian cancer patients in the surgery waiting lists. While Angelina Jolie’s proactive decision to undergo preventative surgeries after discovering she carried the BRCA1 gene is admired, for Beaux and others in her situation, the waiting lists make them feel powerless. The increased screening for the BRCA gene in individuals with Jewish ancestry has resulted in longer waiting lists, creating a gap between diagnosis and treatment that needs to be addressed with adequate funding.
Beaux shares her intergenerational trauma, having lost her mother and aunt to BRCA-related cancers. Her mother, grandmother, and aunt all succumbed to these diseases at a young age, highlighting the urgency for preventative measures. The lack of screening protocols for ovarian cancer, the “Silent Killer,” and the absence of awareness around genetic testing in the past have perpetuated the cycle of loss for many families. As Beaux aims to raise funds for private surgery to lower her cancer risk, she emphasizes the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent future tragedies in her family and beyond.
Reports reveal that the risk-reducing surgery, crucial for BRCA patients, has been deprioritized during the pandemic, leading to cases where individuals identified as high-risk went on to develop cancer while waiting for surgery. The distress caused by lengthy waits for risk-reducing procedures can have severe consequences, with some women developing cancer during the waiting period. Beaux’s efforts to raise awareness and funds for her surgeries highlight the critical need for timely access to preventive care for BRCA patients to prevent the onset of cancer and reduce the emotional toll of uncertainty.
Beaux, a resident of North London, is advocating for herself and others like her by fundraising for multiple procedures, including egg-freezing and preventive mastectomy and hysterectomy. With the potential to drastically reduce her cancer risk, these surgeries are essential for her well-being and peace of mind. As a self-employed individual, Beaux faces added challenges of uncertain medical appointments and financial losses due to cancellations. Despite the strain on NHS resources and waiting times, Beaux remains determined to create better outcomes for herself and future generations impacted by BRCA-related cancers.
In the face of Tory neglect and long NHS waiting lists, Beaux and other BRCA patients are left in a vulnerable position, with their health and well-being hanging in the balance. Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledges the impact of delayed treatments on those at high risk of cancer, emphasizing the need for early detection and swift intervention. Beaux’s fight to raise awareness and funds for her surgeries is driven by her desire to prevent history from repeating itself in her family and to spare her younger sister from the same fate. Through her advocacy efforts, Beaux hopes to bring attention to the challenges faced by BRCA patients and push for better access to preventive care to save lives and relieve the burden of those at risk.
