Jenna Wolfe's Hysterectomy After BRCA Gene Discovery

Former Today show correspondent Jenna Wolfe revealed on Instagram that she underwent a hysterectomy after testing positive for the BRCA-1 breast cancer gene. The BRCA genes are tumor-suppressing, and when working properly, they keep breast, ovarian and other types of cells from growing, changing or dividing rapidly. Mutations in the genes, however, can lead to an increased risk of cancer. Women with the BRCA1 gene are at higher risk for an aggressive form of uterine cancer and thus may opt for a prophylactic hysterectomy. Wolfe's followers applauded her candor and shared their own experiences with preventative surgeries.