Former EastEnders actress Kara Tointon has shared a positive update on her health following major preventative surgery last year. The 42-year-old, best known for playing Dawn Swann in the BBC soap, underwent a double mastectomy and had her fallopian tubes removed after testing positive for a faulty BRCA gene.
A Preventative Decision Driven by Family History
The mother-of-two made the difficult choice to have the operations after a genetic test revealed she carried the BRCA mutation. This significantly increases a person's lifetime risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Tointon's decision was profoundly influenced by the loss of her mother, Carol, to ovarian cancer in 2019, and a history of the disease among the women in her family.
Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain, she described having a "lucky shot" at prevention. "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 explained. She acknowledged that such knowledge can be daunting but emphasised it gave her power.
The Emotional Journey and Family Support
Tointon revealed that the initial step of making the appointment was the hardest part of the process. "I couldn't talk about it at the time because it is a big deal I suppose," she admitted. She underwent the double mastectomy in May of last year and has since been recovering.
Her sister, Hollyoaks actress Hannah Tointon, tested negative for the faulty gene. Kara shared that her sister was upset by the result, wishing they could go through the experience together. "But we have gone through it together," Kara said, "because she held my hand every step of the way."
Understanding the BRCA Gene Mutation
The actress took the opportunity to educate viewers about the genetics behind her decision. "Everyone has the BRCA gene, but some people have the gene that's faulty, and it's a 50 percent chance that it is passed down," she clarified. For carriers like herself, the operation was a proactive measure to drastically reduce her cancer risk.
Reflecting on her family's "generational trauma" with cancer, Tointon said her mother always believed she would die from the disease. "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," she stated firmly.
An Empowering Message to Others
Now on the other side of her surgeries, Kara Tointon is looking forward with gratitude and strength. She offered direct advice to anyone facing a similar frightening genetic prognosis: "Don't be scared, facing things actually is empowering."
She first publicly revealed her surgeries in an Instagram post last year, writing that the decision was the "right decision for me and my family." Her story highlights the critical importance of genetic testing and the personal choices available in modern healthcare.
* The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call them on 0808 808 0000.
