Leslie Jacobs Toole: I have the BRCA Gene - So I Got a Double Mastectomy

On this week’s episode, Nicole and Alanna are joined by Leslie Jacobs Toole, a local Cincinnati momma with a story to tell.

She had actually followed Alanna for a while on social media and once she learned of GWGP, she reached out to share her  BRCA Gene story with the gals. Being a topic both Alanna and Nicole were not very familiar with, it was a no-brainer to have her on the show.

In this episode, Leslie shares with us about her long family history with breast cancer - including her mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 34. After witnessing her mother's suffering, she recognized the very real possibility she could have the BRCA Gene and also develop cancer like her mother. Against her mother's blessing, Leslie got tested - and the test came back positive. Then, in 2012 at the age of 24, she took her own health into her hands and got a double mastectomy. We were so blessed that Leslie felt comfortable enough to share the vulnerable details of how cancer and BRCA has affected her life - and we think others who are in a similar position will feel comforted and seen by her kind testimony - including how neglecting her emotional healing led her down a path that eventually led to her sobriety (7 years now!)

If your family has been touched by breast cancer and you're curious about the BRCA gene, then this is a wonderful conversation that you absolutely won’t want to miss!

If you want to learn more about the podcast and the hosts, visit our website at www.girlswithgutspodcast.com.

Follow us on social media!

Instagram: @girlswithgutspodcast

Twitter: @girlswgutspod

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Alanna’s Instagram: @alannamartella

Nicole’s Instagram: @thenikkidee

Leslie’s Socials:

Instagram: @leslieajacobs

Bright Pink, A Supportive Community for Breats and Ovarian Cancer:

Website: https://www.brightpink.org/

Instagram: @bebrightpink