A Dallas woman believes that genetic testing can detect breast cancer early

DALLAS – A North Texas woman is on a mission to raise awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beyond.

She learned she was at high risk for certain types of breast cancer and took action. She believes that action saves her and others’ lives.

Laura Heims has never been more excited about a medical exam. That’s because if everything goes according to plan, she’ll soon complete her breast cancer treatment.

Laura knew she was at increased risk of developing breast cancer. Her mother, Cecilia, had it when Laura was a child.

Genetic tests available years later showed that Cecilia also had a so-called CHEK2 gene mutation, which increased the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast cancer.

Cecilia encouraged her daughter to also undergo a genetic test.

“I ran a test,” Laura said. “He sent it and it turns out I also have the CEK2 mutation.”

That’s when Laura enrolled in the high-risk mammography program at Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas and met oncology program manager Joyce Lee.

In between annual mammograms, the now 46-year-old Dallas resident underwent chest MRIs. It was this additional test that revealed a cancer the size of a fingernail in her right breast.

“We were able to find it probably years earlier than we would have detected it on a mammogram by doing additional screening in between regular screening mammograms,” said Dr. Archana Ganaraj of Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas.

Laura claims that because her mother had breast cancer twice and Laura knew she had a genetic mutation, she opted for a double mastectomy.

Early detection made other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy unnecessary.

“I’m very happy that I never had any complications,” she said.

Laura says the support of her husband, family and friends helped her get through her darkest days.

Armed with the knowledge her mother passed on to her, Laura wants to encourage other women to talk to their gynecologists about genetic testing. This could be a lifesaver.

“Without the MRI, my story might have been different,” she said. “

Having a genetic mutation increases the risk of developing breast cancer by 15-20%.

Laura says getting a genetic test is simple. You provide a saliva sample, which is sent to a laboratory and tested.

Laura is currently in remission. She recently received even more good news: she can stop taking anti-cancer drugs at the end of the year.