A DOUBLE mastectomy and breast reconstruction is a harrowing experience for any woman.
But imagine undergoing this gruelling procedure if you don't even have cancer.
That was the agonising decision faced by Hannah Fitzpatrick — while just a teenager.
Reporter ROB SMYTH learns more as the 23-year-old talks openly about her ordeal and how she now works alongside some of those who helped her through the most challenging time of her life.
“I WANTED to live” said Hannah Fitzpatrick, recalling how a genetic screening revealed she carried a faulty gene called BRCA2, meaning she had an 85 per cent chance of developing an aggressive form of breast cancer.
The life-changing news meant that, at just 19, Miss Fitzpatrick, who lives in Stapenhill, became the youngest woman in Britain to undergo a double mastectomy to beat the curse of breast cancer which has haunted her family.
Her dad and six aunts and uncles carried the gene and, as a result, she decided to have the radical surgery when two of her cousins developed breast cancer in their early 20s.
And now, as a testament to the extraordinary care she received, she has qualified as a nurse and joined the medical team that saved her life.
The 23-year-old said: “After what happened to me I wanted to help other women.
“I call the surgeon and nurses who helped me my angels. They inspired me to become a nurse.
“When I first found out I had the breast cancer gene I felt numb. As soon as I knew that surgery was an option, although it was daunting, I knew that was right for me. I wanted to live. And I’m so glad I did it when I did.
“The spectre of breast cancer no longer haunts me.” Two of Hannah’s aunts developed breast cancer. Although one survived, the other passed away shortly after Hannah had her operation.
And her two cousins were given the all-clear after mastectomies.
She said: “I felt like a ticking time bomb — every lump, bump or any changes made me afraid.
“Although it was a difficult decision to make, it was always clear what I was going to do.” She was calm on the day of her operation — October 15, 2008.
Everyone in the team came to see her before she went into theatre, including consultant surgeon Ruth Waters and clinical nurse specialist Anne Keogh.
Hannah, who lives with her mum Karen, 49, in Stapenhill, said: “They calmed and reassured me and I’m so grateful for what the team has done for Radical surgery banished br me. I have no regrets.”
The operation took a gruelling 11 hours and she spent 10 days recovering in hospital. She had follow-up surgery and finally finished her treatment six weeks ago.
In the January after her operation Hannah began her nursing training.
“The moment that defined what I would do with my life came after I saw my team and left, feeling fully informed and happy,” she said.
“I turned to my mother and said ‘This is what I want to do with my life’.”
Hannah has been working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham alongside Ruth, Anne and clinical nurse specialist Charlie Perks, who also cared for her post-operation.
“I will never forget how wonderful they were to me,” she added.
Surgeon Ruth said: “To have Hannah come into the team is just wonderful. We are all incredibly proud of her. She and her family have been so brave.”
Hannah said: “I truly feel the staff here have given me the gift of life. They say nursing is a vocation and I now understand the true meaning of that word.”
Hannah has taken part in a breast reconstruction DVD, funded by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, to help other women. To obtain a copy go to www.qehb.org/shop/videos or call the charity team on 0121 371 4852.
