Country singer Morgan Wade plans to have a double mastectomy after learning she has a gene mutation that increases breast cancer risk
- Wade told Page Six that she has a mutation on the BRCA gene
- Fifty percent of women with the mutation develop breast cancer by the age of 70
- The 28-year-old singer plans to continue performing until her surgery in November
Morgan Wade has announced that she will undergo a double mastectomy to reduce her risk of developing breast cancer.
The 28-year-old country singer has revealed that Page six that she planned to have the surgery after testing positive for the BRCA gene mutation.
“I had the BRCA gene, it’s a breast cancer gene, so I’m having a double mastectomy in November,” she explained at London’s Highways Festival on Saturday.
She added that she is committed to her music and performing ahead of her major surgery.
“I’m going really hard until November, so then I have rest in November and December,” Wade continued.
Preventive: Country singer Morgan Wade, 28, revealed to Page Six last week that she would undergo a double mastectomy to reduce her chance of developing breast cancer; seen on April 29 in Indio, California.
Testing: The singer said she tested positive for a BRCA gene mutation. About 50 percent of women with the mutation will develop breast cancer by age 70, compared with 7 percent of the population without the mutation; seen in London on May 20
While all women have both the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, some women have mutations in those genes that significantly increase their cancer risk, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Under ideal conditions, BRCA1 and BRCA2 produce proteins that can repair damage to DNA.
But in women who have a mutation on either gene, cells are more likely to divide rapidly and change over time, and about 50 percent of women with one of the mutations will develop breast cancer by the time they live to be 70, compared to only about 7 percent of the population without the mutation.
The condition may also indicate an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. About 30 percent of women with one of the mutations will develop that condition by age 70, as opposed to only about 1 percent of the population without the mutation.
In addition to preventive surgeries, women with the mutation may also take medications to reduce or block estrogen in the body to prevent cancer from developing.
Although she may have serious health problems in the future, Wade is already focusing on her recovery.
“I feel fine, I’m just pissed that I can’t work out because I really like sports,” the singer shared, adding that she normally works out every day of the week. “That’s my only objection.”
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are passed down from a person’s mother and father, and if one of them has the gene mutation, their child has a 50 percent chance of also having the mutation.
Wade told Page Six that she discovered she was a carrier of the mutation during a series of performances in Europe in 2022.
“My mother had it, and my nephew will have it, but it will be fine,” she stated optimistically.
Wade said her mom “had” the mutation and her “little cousin” probably has it, “but she’ll be fine.” She joked that her only concerns were that she couldn’t work out right after surgery; seen April 29
Rising star: Wade’s second 2021 LP Reckless was a commercial hit and Rolling Stone’s top country album of 2021. Her third LP Psychopath is due out August 25; seen May 20
Wade, who didn’t start writing songs until college, made her recording debut with the self-released LP Puppets With My Heart in 2018.
Her 2021 sophomore album Reckless raised her profile significantly, and it scored a No. 8 peak on the Billboard folk music chart, while peaking at No. 30 on the Billboard country albums chart.
Reckless was re-released earlier this year on major label Arista Nashville, after Rolling stone named it the best country and Americana album of 2021.
She then plans to release her third LP Psychopath on August 25 through Sony Music Nashville.