‘It can be really freeing’: How my 97% chance of developing cancer inspired me to embrace every moment
How do you face the news when you’re told there’s a high possibility that you’ll get a life-changing illness?
Comedian Michelle Brasier joined Nuala McGovern on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour to share her experience. When she was told by her doctor that she had a 97% chance of getting cancer, she was inspired to make the most of every day.
Keep reading for her story…
‘It was a big surprise’
“My father was diagnosed with cancer, and he died a week later, which was a big surprise,” says Michelle. “He wasn't an old man by any stretch of the imagination, but he wasn’t a very healthy man.
“Then my brother got cancer when he was 42, and he passed away within a year as well. My sister had pre-cancerous polyps in her stomach lining, so it just all added up, I suppose. It just got me thinking.”
‘It doesn’t all have to be doom or gloom’
“I'm very proactive about my health.” says Michelle. “So, I went to my GP, and I explained: ‘This is my family history, do I need to get checked for anything? I’m a lot younger than my brother and sister so I've got a head start and I'd love to use it.’ And they referred me to a genetic counsellor.”
I went to my GP, and I explained: ‘This is my family history, do I need to get checked for anything?'
During that visit, Michelle was told that she had a 97% chance of developing bowel, stomach, pancreatic or ovarian cancer. “What a treat to hear,” she says. Whilst being told this did scare her, she decided that she didn’t want to let it ruin her life.
“I’m here for as much time as I can have,” says Michelle. “It doesn't have to be doom or gloom. It doesn't have to mean that I'll get cancer and die. Maybe I'll get cancer and it will be caught.”
‘I try to really embrace everything that I can – whether that’s a piece of toast or patting a dog’
“I’m in London, I’m having a great time,” says Michelle. “I work in film and television. I’ve had a wonderful life. I'm so lucky to have done that.
I bring humour to it and I just want to share my story with as many people as I can.
“I just don't waste my time. I want to enjoy it. I try not to be afraid of things and I try to really embrace everything that I can, whether that's a piece of toast or patting a dog or coming to London to do a show.”
‘I want to share my story, so people don’t feel alone’
“I’ve always been an actor, but I started telling my own stories because I wanted other people to hear those stories and maybe be luckier,” says Michelle. “We don't know how to advocate for ourselves, and I think that it's really difficult to know what to ask for. It can be really scary and intimidating. I get checked as much as I possibly can, and I really advocate for myself. But I’m lucky that I’m a confident person and I can do that.
“So, I just bring humour to it, and I just want to share my story with as many people as I can, so they don't feel alone, and they don't feel clueless.”
‘You appreciate life more’
“I personally think it can be really freeing,” says Michelle. “Either way, just knowing that it could be true, I think, can make you appreciate life more.
“Regardless, I think, just spend your time wisely. Because even if you don't have the cancer gene, you could be hit by a bus.”
The NHS advises to speak to a GP if cancer runs in your family and you’re worried you may get it too. They will be able to advise you.
You can listen to the full interview with Michelle Brasier on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Sounds - it’s the episode from 1 March. Michelle will be performing Average Bear at Soho Theatre from 6-11 March.
Plus, you can listen to Hilary Osborne’s story. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, but says she regrets not finding out whether she had the ‘cancer gene’ before she was diagnosed.
Join the conversation on and @bbcwomanshour
