Margaret Alexander I was born in 1957 in Utah, of European ancestry. Several of my family have had cancer: My older sister had breast cancer at age 36, my mother had ovarian cancer at age 49, my mother’s sister had breast cancer at age 47, and my mother’s mother had breast cancer at age 54.
0-19 years My childhood was uneventful. I met my future husband my first semester in college and was married at age 19. A few months after my wedding, I was pregnant. ·	20-39 years My first child was born when I was just 20, and two more followed at ages 24 and 27. I breastfed each baby for six months. Despite the children, I finished my nursing degree and got a job as a nurse in a local hospital. Aware of the history of cancer in my family, I regularly practiced breast self-examination. I was not referred for a mammogram because I was considered too young. At age 32, I agreed to participate in a research study. In 1996, as part of that study, i learned that I carry an altered gene that increases my risk for breast and ovarian cancer. On the strength of this new information, I was able to get mammograms at regular intervals.
40-59 years At age 42, my mammogram showed some suspicious calcifications. A biopsy revealed breast cancer. I had a partial mastectomy with 12 lymph nodes removed. Because 3 of the 12 nodes showed cancer, I had both radiation and chemotherapy and was put on tamoxifen (a drug that reduces the chances of breast cancer developing0 for five years.	60+ years I feel great these days and am grateful that the research study led to my cancer being detected early. I continue my practice of regular self-examination and see my doctor twice a year. I have had no recurrences of the breast cancer and feel confident of the future. Because the altered gene I carry also predisposes me to increased risk of ovarian cancer, I considered having my ovaries removed, but finally decided not to take that step. But, I will have regular check-ups!