EastEnders Star Kara Tointon Undergoes Double Mastectomy After BRCA1 Diagnosis

Kara Tointon, the EastEnders actress, has revealed that she underwent a double mastectomy and had her fallopian tubes removed after discovering she carries the BRCA1 gene, which significantly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. This decision came following the death of her mother from ovarian cancer in 2018, when both were found to carry the gene after genetic testing prompted by her mother's treatment. Tointon, a mother of two, made the choice to have preventative surgery after completing her family, emphasizing the importance of understanding options and taking control of her health. She shared her journey publicly to raise awareness and support others facing similar risks, also serving as an ambassador for The Eve Appeal, a charity focused on gynecological cancers. The surgeries included participation in a two-part protector study trial, reflecting emerging research that ovarian cancer may begin in the fallopian tubes, allowing for staged preventative removal of reproductive organs. Kara's openness highlights the impact of inherited cancer risks and the significance of genetic testing and preventative care.