# 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.
- Title: She Dedicated Her Career to Detecting Breast Cancer, Then She…
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: rachel brem, breast cancer, prophylactic mastectomy, brca gene, brem foundation, early detection, checkmate, checkmate works, johns hopkins, george washington cancer center, entertainment, lifestyle
- Source: Popsugar — https://popsugar.com/health/rachel-brem-breast-cancer-diagnosis-49346856
- Author: Alexis Jones
- Published: 2024-03-21T19:30:03+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rachel brem, breast cancer, prophylactic mastectomy, brca gene, brem foundation, early detection, checkmate, checkmate works, johns hopkins, george washington cancer center, entertainment, lifestyle
## Rachel Brem's early life
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
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.
## Key takeaway

Dr. Rachel Brem found breast cancer in herself after testing ultrasound equipment, leading to early detection advocacy.