Pieces of Me : Genetically Flawed - Surviving the Breast Cancer I May Never Have - Veronica Neave

Pieces of Me

Genetically Flawed - Surviving the Breast Cancer I May Never Have

By: Veronica Neave

Paperback | 1 October 2009

Sorry, we are not able to source the book you are looking for right now.

We did a search for other books with a similar title, however there were no matches. You can try selecting from a similar category, click on the author's name, or use the search box above to find your book.

A vibrant performer, film director and mum, life for Veronica Neave was always a little crazy and unpredictable. When she tested positive for the BRCA2 'breast cancer gene' the turmoil in her life reached a new high.

The genetic test, combined with her family's history, increased the probability of Veronica one day battling breast cancer to more than 85%. Veronica had watched her mother's ongoing struggle and knew well the history of other relatives dying young at the hands of this persistent disease. When Veronica's two sisters also tested positive for the gene, it seemed the deadly pattern was destined to continue.

Veronica's options - on paper - seemed simple: prevention through high maintenance testing, medication, or the more intrusive step of removing her healthy breasts, and possibly her ovaries too, in the hope of prevention. With her breasts now centre stage, the decision was extremely personal and introspective and yet also seemed to be everybody's business. As she unravelled the information of experts from across the medical spectrum and views from others, Veronica battled her own beliefs about sexuality, body image and even the thought that her breast removal and reconstruction would be seen as a cosmetic 'improvement' by many, not as a life-saving operation. One thing was certain. The science of genetic identification was expanding faster than cures or treatments and Veronica needed to make a decision now. On one hand she had been forewarned of the potential risks, on the other, there was no certainty of prevention or a cure.

Veronica confides, "It's strange. Until a few years ago, my family had never heard of the BRCA2 gene, and now it seems to be everywhere. It's a bizarre predicament to be in, dealing with the concept that you may have cancer, but not yet and to be making decisions on a future that may or may not happen but could kill you. I was screaming out for someone to tell me what to do. I was so confused and wondering just how much time I really had before fate took the decision out of my hands?"

Pieces of Me is a beautifully written, informative and thought-provoking account of Veronica's journey from initial diagnosis with the BRCA2 gene mutation to her decision to remove her healthy breasts. It's a topic guaranteed to divide any dinner party. Along the way she shares her choices, insights and fears as she untangles the different perspectives and advice, to eventually find her own way. "My mother consciously always talked to us of death so we would not be afraid. She said she did this because she knew the history of cancer in our family was more than just a coincidence. My great grandmother, my great aunt and my grandmother all died of breast cancer by the time they were 50 years old. My mother developed breast cancer at 49 and her sister a little later at age 59. Needless to say, while growing up there was a shadow of awareness that breast cancer was 'in my genes'." Veronica Neave

More in Autobiographies

Sociopath : A Memoir - Patric Gagne

RRP $36.99

$34.50

Showing Up : Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable - Nedd Brockmann
Night : Penguin Modern Classics - Elie Wiesel

RRP $22.99

$17.75

23%
OFF
The Last Lecture : Lessons in Living - Randy Pausch
Big Garden Design : The making of beautiful country gardens - Paul Bangay
The Showman - Glenn Maxwell

Paperback

RRP $36.99

$33.25

10%
OFF
Heartstrong : Chumpy, Minnie & Me - Ellidy Pullin

RRP $24.99

$23.75

Paul Bangay : A life in garden design - Paul Bangay

RRP $79.99

$53.35

33%
OFF
Girl, Interrupted : Virago Modern Classics - Susanna Kaysen

RRP $26.99

$17.75

34%
OFF
The Happiest Refugee : My Journey from Tragedy to Comedy - Anh Do
Red Notice : How I Became Putin's No. 1 Enemy - Bill Browder
Kitchen Confidential : Insider's Edition - Anthony Bourdain

RRP $24.99

$23.75

Night : Penguin Modern Classics - Elie Wiesel

RRP $24.99

$23.75

The Diary of a Young Girl : 70th Anniversary Edition - Anne Frank