Former EastEnders star Kara Tointon has opened up about her deeply personal decision to undergo preventative surgeries after discovering she carries a faulty BRCA gene, a move she describes as a 'no-brainer' given her family's history with cancer.
A Preventative Choice Driven by Family History
Best known to soap fans for playing Dawn Swann, Tointon appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss her journey. She explained that the discovery came in 2018 while her mother, Carol, was undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer. A genetic test confirmed both she and her mother carried the BRCA gene variant.
'We’re living in a time where we’re so lucky to become aware of personal genetics, and there’s a choice in that,' Tointon stated. 'For me to be given the opportunity to make the choice and see what it’s done to my family, it was a no-brainer for me, I’ve had a lucky shot.'
She highlighted the hereditary nature of the gene, noting there is a 50 percent chance it is passed from a parent to a child. While her sister did not inherit the faulty gene, Tointon emphasised they went through the process together, with her sister holding her hand 'every step of the way.'
Understanding the BRCA Gene and Cancer Risk
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes normally help protect the body from cancer. However, a fault or mutation in these genes significantly increases a person's lifetime risk of developing certain cancers.
For women, the risk is highest for breast and ovarian cancer. The gene variant can also lead to a higher-than-average risk of pancreatic, and in the case of BRCA2, prostate cancer and male breast cancer.
Tointon partnered with gynaecological cancer charity The Eve Appeal to raise awareness. Following the birth of her second son in 2021 and deciding her family was complete, she opted for surgery after years of surveillance, which involved MRIs and biopsies.
The Surgical Journey and a Message of Empowerment
Last year, Tointon underwent two major preventative procedures. The first was a double mastectomy. The second was a two-part protective study, a trial where her fallopian tubes were removed first, with ovaries to be removed closer to menopause, as evidence suggests ovarian cancer can begin in the tubes.
She revealed the hardest step was making the initial phone call to schedule her first appointment. 'I couldn’t talk about it at the time because it is a big deal I suppose,' she admitted.
Now on the other side of her surgeries, Tointon's message to others facing a similar situation is one of strength. 'Don’t be scared,' she urged. 'Facing things actually is empowering.'
Tragically, Tointon's mother, Carol, passed away in 2019. The actress's decision was profoundly influenced by her family's experience, making her proactive choice a powerful testament to modern medical prevention.
