Sarah Beeny has revealed she underwent genetic testing to determine her family’s risk of developing cancer following her breast cancer battle.
The Channel 4 star, 51, was diagnosed with breast cancer last August and following her diagnosis underwent a double mastectomy as well extensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a reconstruction.
Beeny was incredibly open about her battle on social media and has since discovered that she has a gene mutation which made her more likely to develop the disease.
In her new book called The Simple Life: How I found Home, the Property Ladder presenter said that the results reinforced her decision to undergo a double mastectomy rather than a single.
She explained that the gene meant she had a 50/50 chance of getting cancer again in the future in her other breast that wasn’t affected.
However, the results don’t affect just her but also her children, Billy, 18, Charlie, 16, Rafferty, 14, and Laurie, 12, as there’s a 50 per cent chance she will pass the gene on.
While she was negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2, she tested positive for PALB2, which could have wider implications for her sons and potential future grandchildren, as well as for her siblings and wider family.
She revealed that her brother Diccon had tested negative but her sons have yet to be tested.
In an excerpt from her book, Beeny writes: “I gave them the control, it’s up to them what they do with it.
“It’s a very personal decision. I like the control, others may not want to know.”
As well as opting for a double mastectomy, the star also intends to have her ovaries removed as the results revealed she has a marginal increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
She adds in her book: “PALB2 also gives me a marginal increased risk of ovarian cancer, it is only a small day surgery to remove your ovaries and, as I have had quite enough children and my ovaries are no longer functioning, I am due to have my ovaries removed too.”
