When Paige More was 24 years old, she had herself tested for the BRCA1 gene mutation even though she wasn’t fully informed about its potential consequences. However, her paternal side of the family had a history of cancer.
More’s grandmother died of ovarian cancer, while her father’s aunt and grandmother had breast cancer. So, when her test results came back positive, her and her mom’s suspicions were assured and confirmed.
More told People, “My mom just kind of had a feeling. I was just completely overwhelmed, because I didn’t understand what it meant.”
More, who works as a talent booker on Good Morning America, pondered on her two options: take a chance and have checkups regularly to monitor the possibility of cancer, or get both of her breasts removed to completely eliminate the occurrence.
More said, “It was this huge daunting feeling, because I was making this huge life decision and either choice was really going to change my life. Even if I choose to do the surveillance, I’m choosing to spend so much of my life in the doctor’s office.”
She continued, “It felt less like a surveillance and more like I was waiting to get cancer, and I’ve never been that person. I wanted to just tackle this thing for my life and my future.”
More chose to have double mastectomy. She said that she also wanted to do it for her 13-year-old sister.
More said, “While I was home recovering, I just didn’t want her to think that this is scary. I wanted her to look at me and feel strong and proud and beautiful. I just hope that in a couple years when she gets tested, god forbid I hope she’s not positive, but if she is she can think back to this and say that I can do this too.”
She posted her journey to recovery through uploading photos on Instagram. Her posts eventually became a community of other women who are survivors, previvors, and currently battling cancer.
More said, “It’s honestly the most amazing feeling, I can’t even put it into words. I never expected such a beautiful amount of support. I call them my breast friends. You’re instantly connected to these people, even if you don’t actually know them.”
She continued, “They’re in London, they’re in Australia, they’re all over the world, but you’re connected because you’ve been through something that instantly bonds you at a very intense level. It’s really amazing.”
Her whole experience changed her outlook in life. She even had the opportunity to walk in New York Fashion Week.
More told People, “I realized that all different shapes and sizes look sexy. The idea in our brains is that breasts make you feel like a woman and breasts make you feel beautiful, and that’s just not the case. It doesn’t matter if you have big boobs or little boobs, real boobs or fake boobs.”
She continued, “I really was scared, was I making the wrong decision? But this is the best choice I’ve ever made. I no longer wake up worried that this is going to be the day I get cancer, or the day I find a lump. I look in the mirror and see my scars as strength, and I see the new shape of myself. I saved my own life. There’s nothing sexier than that.”
