'NHS said I'd have to wait two years for test.. I had both of my breasts removed instead' A MUM'S HEARTBREAK DECISION.

Byline: By MAGGIE BARRY

A MUM told yesterday how she had a double mastectomy rather than wait more than two years to see if she was at risk from breast cancer.

Oonagh Wilson made the heartbreaking decision because she could not bear the agonising delay in getting her genetic test results.

The 39-year-old mother-of-two had tests in February 2003 to see if she had a high risk of contracting breast and ovarian cancer.

Both her mother and grandmother died of cancer and doctors said Oonagh had a "ninetysomething" per cent chance of getting it as well.

She is still waiting for the results of one of the tests, which would tell if her mum had a faulty gene -making her more susceptible to the disease - and decided to undergo preventative surgery with a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy.

Since then two of her aunts have been diagnosed with cancer.

Oonagh, a women's refuge worker, from Elgin, Moray, described the plight of women in such cases as "horrendous".

She added: "I wanted to have a full, happy life without having to worry every day about breast cancer."

The worried mum explained: "When I went to the geneticist I was told the test results would take about two years, but I chose not to wait.

"You feel as if you're on your own, waiting in limbo, but it's your life that's in limbo. Your children's lives and your family's lives."

Oonagh said the results would have a major impact on her life as well as those of her two children, who may need to consider preventative surgery themselves in the future.

She admitted: "I think it is horrendous to have a three-year wait - these are life-threatening and life-changing results.

"I have not even been tested for the gene yet, because we are waiting for my mother's results.

"I want the Scottish Executive to come up with some target times so we are aware of how long it is going to take."

Oonagh told how after the death of her mother she discovered that she had been the fifth person to suffer breast cancer in the family.

When she consulted a geneticist, she realised she would face years of turmoil before finding out for sure if she had the gene. Oonagh said: "After many chats with my husband Richard, we decided the way forward was preventative surgery.

"I am feeling good after finishing reconstruction and I'm trying to get on with my life without fear of breast cancer. I am really pleased with all the decisions we made."

She now helps the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer and is a member of the organisation's genetic reference group.

Her advice to women facing a similar situation is to seek as much help as they can from medical experts and women who have been through it before making a decision.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, set up by to improve the quality of healthcare, had yet to set standards for NHS genetics services in Scotland.

The spokeswoman added: "It is recognised that testing these genes can be a complex process that can take a long time in a few cases.

"That is why the Scottish Genetics Service continues to look at ways to develop and improve the service -including waiting time performance where appropriate."

Every year around 3,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Scotland.

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BRAVE MUM: Oonagh hopes to get on with her life without fear of cancer