Recently featured in Everyday Health, Mackenzie Alleman talks about being tested for BRCA1 after her mother died of breast cancer. BRCA1 is a gene mutation that increases the likelihood of developing breast cancer by 87 percent and ovarian cancer by 53 to 57 percent. All of her research, preparation, and the repeated mantra, “knowledge is power,” couldn’t prepare Mackenzie for the reality that she was BRCA positive. She decided to undergo preventative mastectomy and turned to the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery. Although it was a difficult choice, she is thankful for the gift of taking her health into her own hands.