Aunt’s Secret Cancer Diagnosis Sparks Life-Saving Journey for Brooklyn Olumba

Navigating a cancer diagnosis is a profound experience, and for Brooklyn Olumba, the journey began with a secret held by her aunt. For nearly three years, her aunt battled breast cancer in silence, only revealing her diagnosis months before her passing. This revelation was shocking, as the family initially believed they had no history of breast cancer, only to discover it had been present throughout their lineage.

A Hidden Diagnosis Ignites a Quest for Answers

The weight of her aunt’s secret diagnosis and the family’s inability to offer support during her most challenging times left Olumba with a deep sense of sadness. This profound loss ignited a fire within her. At just 22 years old, Olumba embarked on a mission to uncover her family’s history with cancer.

Her fraternal twin sister took the first step by undergoing BRCA2 gene testing, which analyzes inherited mutations linked to various cancers, including breast cancer. A few years later, at age 25, Olumba followed suit. The results were startling: both sisters discovered they carried the same genetic mutation, significantly increasing their lifetime risk of breast cancer by up to 75%.

Early Detection Saves a Life

Armed with this knowledge, Olumba began annual breast cancer screenings with her care team at Penn Medicine’s Basser Center for BRCA. This proactive approach, a stark contrast to her previous routine of exams every three years, may have ultimately saved her life. Just days before the pandemic began, at the age of 28, Brooklyn was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer.

The news was difficult to share, especially with her mother, who had recently witnessed her own sister pass away from breast cancer. Olumba also worried about the impact on her three-year relationship. However, choosing a different path than her aunt, Olumba openly shared her diagnosis with her loved ones, allowing them to provide crucial support throughout her treatment. Her mother and twin sister moved in, assisting with everything from chemotherapy appointments to daily chores, providing comfort and companionship that prevented her from feeling isolated.

Advocacy and Empowerment

Following her recovery, Brooklyn became a passionate advocate for women navigating breast cancer, utilizing social media to share her story and plans to influence policy. She consistently emphasizes the critical importance of understanding one’s family health history, a step that proved vital for her early diagnosis. “I want people to know that it’s really important to know your risk. And knowing your risk means talking to your family,” she urges.

Olumba believes her public advocacy work is as healing for her as it is for others, especially seeing a young woman of color undergoing breast cancer treatment at 28. Despite some family pushback regarding the privacy of her health journey, she finds the public sharing to be a source of strength. She advises prompt attention to health concerns, noting that early detection significantly improves survival rates, with localized breast cancer having a roughly 90% five-year survival rate.

Olumba also stresses that age should not be a barrier to genetic testing, as younger individuals are increasingly being diagnosed. Her experience has profoundly reshaped her perspective on health and wellness, making her a fierce advocate for herself and inspiring others to be proactive about their well-being. What began as a hidden family diagnosis has transformed into a powerful force for change and empowerment.