'My twin died but because of her I'm here. I'm the lucky one'

Louise Walsh

A county councillor has bravely told how she chose to have a double mastectomy and an oophorectomy after she lost her twin sister to breast cancer just after they both turned 50 years old.

Suzanne Jamal believes she may also have suffered the same fate if her sister Maire had not tested positive for the hereditary brca2 gene, which she then learned was also passed on to her.

The Fine Gael councillor who was elected onto Meath County Council in 2009 is now urging anyone who has the chance to get tested for the gene to do so.

"Maire was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, shortly after I was elected for the first time as a councillor in the Navan area," said Suzanne.

"She had a double mastectomy and had some lymph nodes removed and, following her treatment, was advised that she could take the brca2 genetic test because my late mother had ovarian cancer. My dad, two sisters, brother and I all went for the test too and only myself and Maire tested positive.

"In 2014, I decided to have my ovaries removed to get rid of the worry that cancer would come knocking on my door. I was plunged straight into menopause but I thought, that's it, it's over.

"However, for Maire, her cancer returned in 2018 and spread from a spot on her lung to her spine, skull and eventually her brain. Those were very dark days and I wanted to do something for her to lift her spirits. I knew she idolised the writer Michael Harding so I tracked him down and arranged for him to call her and they chatted about the simple things in life, which made her day.

"I still have a thank you card for him on my mantlepiece but every time, I go to write him a letter, the tears flow. I'll get around to it someday.

"I was holding Maire's hand when she died on 5th December, 2020. My sisters had just left the room for a few moments and I said, you can go now. And like that, like someone pressed a switch, she was gone.

"It was devastating. She was my twin and while we weren't identical, we were very alike and I adored her."

Maire had passed seven months when Suzanne decided to undergo a preventative double mastectomy.

"I was getting regular checks anyway and each time I had to have a biopsy done, it was a huge mental stress, so I made the decision to have the double mastectomy to get rid of the 85% chance I would get breast cancer and reduce it to just one per cent.

"Yes, I felt strange post-surgery and I was changed completely but there is so much support out there to help you.

"I'll not look good in a bikini again but I have peace of mind and that is everything.

"My twin died but because of her I'm here. I'm the lucky one. If she hadn't had the brca2 gene, then I wouldn't have been tested and I could be sitting here today with breast cancer. I had the gene and I had the information to make those life-saving decisions for me.

"I would urge anyone that has the choice to be tested for the gene, take the test. You could be armed with vital information that could save your life."