Nurse, 23, reveals what led her to have a double mastectomy at 22

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Brodie Dare, 23, had a mastectomy after discovering she had the BRCA 1 gene
The Melbourne nurse said the decision was part of an 'empowering process'
One year since the surgery, Brodie is now helping others in a similar situation

Published: 00:57 EST, 13 November 2018 | Updated: 00:58 EST, 13 November 2018

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For Brodie Dare, the prospect of cancer was always part of her reality - but one she refused to be discouraged by.

This was due to the 23-year-old carrying the BRCA 1 gene mutation leaving her with more than a 70 per cent chance of getting breast cancer.

And after watching her mother, aunt and grandfather suffer the effects of the disease, Melbourne-based Brodie was determined to escape the same fate.

Instead, she chose to have a double mastectomy, and had both of her breasts removed aged just 22.

Brodie Dare, 23, is a carrier of the BRCA 1 gene mutation leaving her with more than a 70 per cent chance of contracting breast cancer

Brodie's journey began as a teenager when, given her family's medical history which saw her mother (pictured) beat both breast and ovarian cancer, she decided to understand her risk

'I thought of it as an empowering process – it was about taking a step for myself,' she told FEMAIL.

'A lot of people have a connection with their breasts but mine weren't that exciting to me. They were just sad looking.

'And I've seen people go through breast cancer diagnoses and while I know my risk hasn't completely gone, I've dropped my risk lower than the general population.'

Brodie's journey began as a teenager when, given her family's medical history which saw her mother beat both breast and ovarian cancer, she decided to understand her risk.

However, despite an eagerness to know, doctors warned the then-16-year-old against finding out until she turned 18.

'I thought of (the mastectomy) as an empowering process – it was about taking a step for myself,' she told FEMAIL(pictured with her boyfriend Doug)

'I remember waking up on the day of my surgery and thinking 'holy s***' what have I done?' Brodie said

'I remember being really mad but now I guess I'm thankful that they made me wait,' she said.

'When the results came back I just kind of knew I had it because my brother didn't and there was a 50/50 chance.'

And she was right. Brodie had inherited the gene mutation and was faced with a decision which would seem impossible for many young women.

Live with the ever-increasing risk of getting cancer or endure surgeries which would see her breasts removed and then reconstructed.

But surrounded by encouragement of family, boyfriend and support from Pink Hope, the nursing graduate felt invincible.

'In our family we're really lucky, although we've had some really awful experiences, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, we're all glass half full kind of people,' Brodie said.

However, this didn't debunk all of her fears, especially just before the string on operations she's had to endure to decrease the cancer risk.

'I remember waking up on the day of my surgery and thinking 'holy s***' what have I done?' She said.

Almost one year since, Brodie is thriving, has no regrets about her decision and dedicates her spare time to others facing similar prospects, through Pink Hope

There's definitely times where I've had a few sneaky tears but it's not something I've thought of a bad process.'

But almost one year on, Brodie is thriving, has no regrets about her decision and dedicates her spare time to others facing similar prospects, through Pink Hope.

'Young women should trust their gut and not be afraid to reach out to other people and support plays a massive role.'

'And I think I look better than they did before – which can only be a good thing!'

Pink Hope is an organisation which offers emotional support to women at-risk of breast and ovarian cancer. More information can be found here.