Next Chapter for Taylor’s Family: How the Holiday Season Sparked Life-Saving Conversations

When Taylor received her BRCA2 positive result earlier this year, she knew the information would shape her own health journey. What she didn’t realize at the time was how profoundly it would impact the people she loves most.

As the holiday season approached, Taylor found herself surrounded by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Given that she only saw most of her relatives once a year around the holidays, the timing felt right. With warmth, care, and a little bit of courage, she decided to share her story.

She brought copies of her Otogenetics hereditary cancer report to the family gathering, knowing that transparency could help protect her relatives. Among the laughter, meals, and traditions, she gently opened a conversation about the BRCA2 mutation and explained what it meant, how it could run through families, and why understanding one’s genetic risk matters.

Her family listened. Some were surprised. Others admitted they had wondered about the pattern of breast and pancreatic cancers on Taylor’s father’s side, but had never known what to do about it. Taylor encouraged her relatives to speak with their own healthcare providers and offered them her report to help start the discussion.

Within weeks, several family members reached out to their doctors. Working directly with Otogenetics, their providers ordered single-site testing to check specifically for the BRCA2 mutation known to run in the family. For those who tested positive, early referrals and care plans were put into motion. For those who tested negative, the reassurance was meaningful and immediate.

This holiday season, Taylor’s gift to her family wasn’t wrapped. It was knowledge, empowerment, and the chance to take proactive steps for their health.

With Otogenetics, the story doesn’t end with the first test, it begins with the family.