Vanessa Plascencia was a 21-year-old college student when she learned she had tested positive for a BRCA1 mutation, an inherited gene that can significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. While the test confirmed that her family’s history of cancer couldn’t be ignored, Plascencia never thought breast cancer would affect her at age 34.

At the time, Plascencia was thriving in her career as a special education teacher and had dreams of starting a family. “I thought this was something that I wouldn’t have to deal with till I was in my 60s. I said I’ll have kids and a family first, and I’ll deal with it when I’m older. But cancer doesn’t work that way,” Plascencia said.