Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany comes from a family touched by breast cancer. Her mother carried the BRCA2 gene, which raises the risk of developing the disease by 84%. After her mother chose a preventive double mastectomy, McEnany decided to be tested herself.
Early one morning before Christmas, McEnany received a life-changing call. A doctor told her,
“You’ve tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation.”
As she walked downstairs to share the news with her family, tears streamed down her cheeks.
Deliberation and Delay
Initially, McEnany planned to follow her mother’s example and schedule surgery quickly. Yet, being single at the time gave her pause. She worried about dating after a mastectomy. Over nine years, she lived with the fear of cancer. She attended routine checkups, putting off surgery while she weighed her options.
Undergoing Surgery and Finding Strength
In 2018, McEnany finally chose a double mastectomy. Removing most breast tissue lifted a heavy burden. In a 2020 Fox News op-ed, she wrote,
“The approach I took has left me feeling strong, confident, and virtually unchanged. I’ve gone from creeping worry to calm.”
Understanding the Limits of Prevention
The Moffitt Cancer Center, where McEnany had her surgery, notes that a mastectomy cuts breast cancer risk by about 95%. Yet, Dr. Kristen La Longa emphasizes that some breast tissue remains after surgery. Even with BRCA1/2 mutations, not everyone develops cancer. And no surgery can remove every last cell.
Sharing Her Story on the National Stage
At the 2020 Republican National Convention, McEnany spoke openly about her mastectomy. She described waking from anesthesia to two calls: one from Ivanka Trump and another from President Trump himself, who offered to visit her. The moment underscored her closeness to the administration despite having joined the White House team only in April 2020.
“When I woke up, the leader of the free world actually cared about my situation,” she told the audience.
A Message of Hope and Conviction
McEnany called the preventive mastectomy the hardest choice of her life. Yet, she contrasted it with her political loyalty:
“Supporting President Trump, who will protect my daughter and our children’s future, was the easiest decision for me.”
Her candidness has raised awareness of genetic testing and preventive surgery. By sharing her journey, McEnany offers hope—and practical information—to others facing similar decisions.
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