Woman made life-changing decision after chance conversation at mum's funeral

25 February 2024 , 21:53

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Gail Hardy made the life-changing choice to have her ovaries removed after her mum passed due to ovarian cancer (Image: Cancer Research UK)

A chance chat at her mum's funeral led Gail Hardy to make a life-changing choice to have her ovaries removed.

Gail, 47, from Melling, had a talk with her cousin at the funeral who told her that an aunt on her dad's side of the family had tested positive for the BRCA2 gene. It raises the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women and breast and prostate cancer in men. Gail, a mum of two, decided to get tested herself - and found out she too had the BRCA2 gene.

Despite knowing it would put her into menopause straight away, Gail chose to have her ovaries taken out. Her beloved mum Sandra was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer in January 2021, and although was tested for the BRCA2 gene and didn't have it, passed away just before Christmas in December 2021.

Gail knew her dad's mum and one of his sisters had both been treated for breast cancer, while dad had also died of bowel cancer. But she never thought the BRCA2 gene could be in her dad's family until the chat at the funeral. Her operation went well and after recovering she is now waiting for an operation to remove her breasts and then have them rebuilt. Her two sons, Matthew, 18, and Evan, 15, are keen to get genetic tests when they're older. Her sister got tested and luckily, she doesn't have the condition.

Gail shared: "If it wasn't for that chance conversation, then there's a possibility I could have faced a cancer diagnosis at some point. I did shed a few tears when I tested positive, but I wanted to resolve the situation as quickly as possible to give me a chance of enjoying a long and healthy life."

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Gail is running the Cancer Research UK marathon, and urging others to join the Race for Life (Cancer Research UK)

"Sadly, there's a very long waiting list for NHS mastectomy and reconstructive surgery thanks to the pandemic so I am still waiting for this surgery two years later. Having my ovaries removed in my 40s was a straightforward decision. Had I found out in my 20s or 30s that I was at genetic risk of developing cancer, then it would have been a much more difficult decision to face the menopause."

Now Gail is calling for lots of people to join her at Cancer Research UK's Race for Life at Sefton Park on July 21. The charity run includes different races including 3k, 5k and 10k runs. Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events. Gail used to do the Race for Life when her kids were little, but now she's doing it again for the last two years to remember her mum.

Gail, speaking to LiverpoolEcho, added: "Taking part in Race for Life is such an empowering experience. It's amazing to read everyone's personal messages on their back signs and there's such a sense of camaraderie." After her own battle, Gail understands how important it is to raise money for research that could save lives. The funds raised will help scientists discover new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancers - bringing us closer to a world where everyone can live longer, healthier lives.

Every year, about 44,700 people in the North West are told they have cancer. Jane Bullock, who speaks for Cancer Research UK in the North West, said: "We are grateful to Gail for her support and know her story will touch everyone who hears it. No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime.

Gail is taking part in the Race for Life and called it an 'empowering experience' (Cancer Research UK)

"Race for Life has the power not only to change lives, but to save them. We're proud that Race for Life has already helped double survival rates in the UK. We'd love for as many people as possible across Merseyside and beyond to join us at Race for Life. There is an event for everyone and we mean everyone."

Race for Life events will be held in the Wirral, Warrington, Haydock Park, Aintree and Sefton Park over the spring and summer. Money raised through the Race for Life event, which began in 1994, has helped develop radiotherapy which benefits more than 130,000 people with cancer in the UK every year.

Cancer Research UK funded scientists led the development of the Human Papillomavirus Virus vaccine, which is expected to prevent almost 90 per cent of cervical cancers in the UK. The charity also funded many large clinical trials looking at the effectiveness of the drug tamoxifen and the research shaped the way the drug is used to treat breast cancer today.

Andy Curran, Chief Executive of Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, said: "We are incredibly proud to continue as headline sponsor for Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, with the opportunity to encourage participation across the country. By working to raise funds for life-saving research, we can move towards a future where people live longer and healthier lives, free of cancer."

Ewan Gleadow