An Abilene mom’s powerful choice: Preventing cancer before it starts

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Abilene Mom, Jenn Caldera, is taking charge of her health by taking preventative measures against breast cancer.

Caldera shared that her family history and a feeling that she would have issues with breast cancer in her lifetime made her decision easy. 

“I don’t have time for this. I definitely do not have time to get cancer. I volunteer. I work. There are just so many things that I want to do in my life. It’s not today, Satan. I’m not going to allow him to get me down,” added Caldera. 

After a mammogram, Caldera was offered genetic testing, where she soon learned that she carried the BRCA2 mutation. 

“The BRCA2 gene is probably the most well-known gene that increases the risk of breast cancer, but there are other genes that increase your risk of having breast cancer,” said Dr. Bennett, a plastic surgeon at Image Sculptors. 

Patients have choices in how to respond. For Caldera, the choice was clear.

“So, when they called me and told me that I was positive with BRCA2. She was very gentle with me. But I wasn’t really upset because again, I had already kind of been foretold that it was going to be a thing, and I already knew I was going to go through with the double mastectomy. I have three children, and I did not want to roll the dice on that,” Caldera said. 

Dr. Bennett added, “It gives them that peace of mind to know the majority of that breast tissue is gone and decreases the chance of ever having to go through the diagnosis of cancer.”

Caldera has recovered from the double mastectomy and is now working with Dr. Bennett at Image Sculptors for the reconstruction part of the journey. 

Dr. Bennett added, “I feel like we provide as many resources for them as a place that they can feel safe, maybe rebuild their confidence, and I love being part of that journey for them. I want them to feel whole again.”

“Now I have such peace of knowing that I have taken something that could have been out of my control, and now I’m controlling that situation,” said Caldera. 

With one more surgery ahead, Caldera is grateful to be living in the moment with her family.

Caldera’s son, Joseph, was worried when he first learned his Mom would need surgery. 

“I was like, oh no, because she’s the main cook of the house. I was like Lunchables, it is,” said Joseph Caldera. 

Joseph and his siblings didn’t have to rely on Lunchables thanks to their supportive community that provided meals for three weeks while Caldera was healing. 

Caldera said she hopes that by sharing her story, more women will get mammograms and genetic testing. 

Dr. Bennett shared that she is seeing more younger patients diagnosed with breast cancer. She also wants to encourage women with a family history or concerns to get mammograms sooner than the recommended age of 40. Dr. Bennett added that many patients don’t know that most insurance companies cover the cost for reconstruction after the cancer removal procedures.