A Journey of Courage to Save Her Own Life

Many people were surprised and amazed when Angelina Jolie went public with the news that she had chosen to undergo a double mastectomy because genetic testing revealed that she had the BRCA gene mutation that put her at high risk for breast cancer. Because she is a famous actress and activist, more people than ever before became aware of the dangers and consequences of the BRCA gene. But extraordinary courage can be found anywhere�perhaps right in your community. Proactive Legacy is the personal story of Michelle Maxwell. She isn�t famous: she�s a wife, mother, daughter, niece�and she has the BRCA gene mutation. After witnessing her mother�s painful and tragic death from breast cancer, Michelle was determined to beat the odds�not only for herself, but in her mother�s honor, and to set an example for her own daughters, and for other women who live with the BRCA mutation. Michelle made the extremely difficult and life-altering decision to become a previvor of breast and ovarian cancer. In this inspiring and moving memoir, Michelle doesn�t focus on medical terminology and scientific language: instead, she shares with you the emotional and psychological journey that she and her family shared as she underwent surgery to save her life before cancer had a chance to steal everything she had worked to achieve. A powerful testimonial to the benefits of genetic testing, Proactive Legacy is a supportive resource for women who want to learn more about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and about prophylactic surgeries. Michelle�s decision to become empowered will resonate with all readers, and is especially meaningful to women, and to anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer.