A brave young woman has opened up about her harrowing choice to have her ovaries removed at the tender age of 19 to prevent the onset of cancer. Diagnosed with Turner syndrome in the womb, Emily Balck faced a heightened risk of developing skin and ovarian cancer due to her condition.
At just 19, she underwent surgery to remove her ovaries, significantly increasing her chances of avoiding ovarian cancer, which she was 30% more likely to develop. At 22, she also battled skin cancer on her neck.
Emily shared her experience: “It can be pretty lonely to have the condition and it’s pretty shocking to get cancer at such a young age, but I’m not letting it get in the way of living my life to the fullest.”
Turner syndrome, affecting one in every 2,000 women, is characterised by the absence of one X chromosome and can lead to numerous health issues, including stunted growth, undeveloped ovaries, heart defects, and a higher cancer risk, reports Wales Online.
Unlike many, Emily’s condition was known before her birth, allowing her parents to seek out specialists early on. She reflected on her fortune, saying: “I was very fortunate where my parents were able to find specialists.”
For over a decade, Emily was part of research studies that monitored her hormone levels and cognitive development, aiding in the understanding of Turner syndrome. Throughout her medical journey, she found a dedicated endocrinologist specialising in her condition, who has become a pivotal figure in her healthcare management.
Emily shared her experience: “He has been super helpful. When you’re little, the main concerns are growth issues and cognitive development issues. The older you get, there’s a lot more that comes into play.”
Despite being closely monitored throughout her childhood for typical Turner syndrome issues like growth and cognitive development, Emily faced new challenges as she grew older. She had to make a tough call at just 19 due to ovarian failure, a common issue for those with Turner’s syndrome, deciding to undergo surgery to remove her ovaries and reduce cancer risks.
She reflected on the difficult choice: “Making that decision was really difficult, but I felt at peace about it as the best health decision for myself.”
At the age of 22, Emily was dealt another blow when she was diagnosed with melanoma on her neck, an alarming discovery given her young age.
Fortunately, thanks to early detection, a major surgery successfully prevented the spread of the skin cancer.
Emily recounted the strain of constant health checks: “Having to go through all of the cancer screenings was pretty intense when you’re in college you just want to be having fun and not thinking about your health.”
While Turner syndrome affects individuals differently, many lead full, healthy lives. However, the NHS notes a slight reduction in life expectancy for those affected by the condition.
Emily concluded with a note on her current state: “Right now, it’s more just being vigilant,” adding, “I’m on a series of medications to take every day, and that’s really the only thing I need to think about at the moment.”
Aspiring medical assistant Emily has turned to TikTok to document her journey and enlighten others about her condition, gathering significant interest.
Discussing her reasons for sharing her experiences online, Emily confessed: “It’s kind of been something I’ve done for fun as I enjoyed it, recently it has gotten quite a lot of traction. I found that people were very interested in learning more and asking interesting questions.”
The response has been highly supportive, with many reaching out to share their own stories concerning Turner syndrome.
Emily expressed: “It’s cool to meet other people with the same condition, It can be a pretty lonely place – I only know one other person in real life who has it, but it’s not actually that rare I think more people should know about it.”
However, amid the encouragement, Emily admits she has also faced online negativity. Nevertheless, she insists: “Are people mean online? Yes, sometimes. But the support far outweighs the negativity.”
