A young Scots woman was devastated after she was diagnosed with the breast cancer gene shortly after her dad also tested positive.
Charlie Napier, from Gorebridge, was heartbroken after she was told she carried the hereditary BRCA1 mutation in September 2018.
The 24-year-old's gran Patricia tragically passed away from ovarian cancer in her forties when Charlie's dad Steven was just a young boy.
Dad Steven decided to get tested in 2018 and was told he had the gene.
After he was tested, he sat Charlie down and told her she should consider getting the test.
Charlie told the Record: "My dad got tested just before me and he came back with a positive test.
"He sat me down to tell me and said these are your options, you can go and get a test.
"I decided there were more positives to finding out than not.
The family were dealt a double blow after Charlie also tested positive for the BRCA1 gene in September, 2018.
She continued: ""I was pretty gutted about it - it puts me at a 60% risk of ovarian cancer now.
"The risk of ovarian cancer also affects fertility and I just got married in September and we've bought our first house. Having a family is something we're considering.
"I was 21 at the time of the diagnosis and I just had a boyfriend. It wasn't a serious thought about children but now, to me, it is more likely to happen.
"I know this is going to be a lifelong thing and I knew I needed to do something positive about it."
Women with the faulty BRCA1 gene have a 60 to 90% lifetime risk of breast cancer and a 40 to 60% risk of ovarian cancer.
The gene affects around 1 in every 400 people and those who test positive have a various range of options to manage the risk, including regular breast screening and surgery.
Charlie is now determined to raise awareness and fund research in memory of her gran.
She will trek the West Highland Way with her dad and dog Harris next week to raise cash for The Eve Appeal.
Charlie has previously embarked on a number of fundraising challenges for UK charity The Eve Appeal including trekking the Sahara Desert over four days before the pandemic in March 2020.
The charity funds research and raises awareness of the five gynaecological cancers – womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal.
Her latest adventure will begin on June 14 and last for 10 days.
Charlie added: "It's very important to my dad as well. It's his mum and now me, his daughter.
"If Mark and I do go on to have a girl then raising funds for a charity like this can help as there is a 50% chance I'll pass the gene on to her.
"It is something that future generations will need."
To make a donation to the fundraiser click here.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
