What happens when cancer risk isn’t just a possibility… but a pattern in your family?
In this episode of BRCA & Beyond, I’m joined by Vanessa Federico, also known as the BRCA Babe, who shares what it’s really like to grow up knowing hereditary cancer is part of your story.
Vanessa is a BRCA1 carrier and one of three sisters, where she and one sister carry the gene and the other doesn’t. That alone brings a layer of complexity that so many families quietly navigate but rarely talk about out loud. We talk about what it feels like to sit at that crossroads, knowing your family history, understanding your risk, and having to make decisions that don’t come with clear answers.
From starting surveillance in her twenties, to choosing a risk-reducing mastectomy at 30, to becoming a mom after her surgery, Vanessa shares her experience in a way that feels honest, grounded, and real. Vanessa Federico stepped into previvorhood with resilience and purpose after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. As a mother and runner, she uses her voice to shed light on hereditary cancer risk and the emotional realities that come with it, while also embracing the messy, beautiful balance of family life. Through her platform, Vanessa shares her journey with honesty, vulnerability, and a dose of humor, helping to normalize the previvor experience and make difficult conversations feel a little less heavy. Her mission is to create a space where women feel supported, informed, and empowered every step of the way.
You can follow her journey on Instagram at @brcababeboston.
This conversation isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about what it looks like to live through the questions.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of family history, struggled with what decision is right, or wondered what life actually looks like on the other side of these choices, this one will stay with you.
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