From Popsugar · Alexis Jones · · 1m 10s
She Dedicated Her Career to Detecting Breast Cancer, Then She Found Her Own
Dr. Rachel Brem, a breast cancer expert, discovered her own cancer during routine self-testing.
In brief
Dr. Rachel Brem, a breast cancer expert, discovered her own cancer during routine self-testing. Dr. Rachel Brem found breast cancer in herself after testing ultrasound equipment, leading to early detection advocacy. Originally reported by Popsugar.
Rachel Brem's early life
:upscale()/2025/03/07/899/n/1922729/tmp_2gAQP2_5fda7f2bd76bf81f_Main_PS25_03_F_H_IDiscoveredMyOwnBreastCancer_1456x1000.jpg)
Dr. Brem's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 12, surviving 44 years after surgery.
“Our lives were completely turned upside down”
BRCA gene test
Dr. Brem tested for BRCA gene mutations in her 30s after her mother's cancer experience.
Preventative mastectomy
Dr. Brem had a bilateral preventative mastectomy to reduce breast cancer risk.
Self-test discovery
:quality(85):upscale()/2025/03/07/901/n/1922729/1512235067cb594a925da5.76150595_.jpg)
At 37, Dr. Brem found breast cancer during routine ultrasound self-testing.
Family impact
Dr. Brem's daughters knew about breast cancer from her work, reducing trauma.
Treatment experience
Dr. Brem faced chemotherapy and surgery, but felt her experience was relatively seamless.
Health disparities
Ashkenazi Jewish women are 10 times more likely to have BRCA mutations than the general US population.
Brem Foundation
The Brem Foundation launched Wheels For Women with Lyft and CheckMate for early detection.
The takeaway
Dr. Rachel Brem found breast cancer in herself after testing ultrasound equipment, leading to early detection advocacy.
