A woman has told how she made the difficult decision to have her ovaries removed aged 19 to stop her developing cancer.<br /><br />Emily Balck, 24, was diagnosed with Turner syndrome when she was in the womb. <br /><br />The condition makes her five times more likely to develop skin cancer and 30% more likely to develop ovarian cancer had her ovaries removed aged just 19. <br /><br />In addition to having her ovaries removed as a teen, she also had skin cancer on her neck aged 22.<br /><br />Emily from Salem, Oregon, said: “It can be pretty lonely to have the condition and it’s pretty shocking to get cancer at such a young age but I’m not letting it get in the way of living my life to the fullest.” <br /><br />The condition affects 1 in 2,000 women and is caused by one of the X chromosomes (sex chromosomes) being missing. <br /><br />It can cause a variety of medical and developmental problems, including short height, failure of the ovaries to develop, heart defects, and increased likelihood of certain forms of cancer. <br /><br />Her parents knew about her diagnosis before she was born – a rarity given that most people are not aware they have it until they reach adolescence. <br /><br />Emily said: "I was very fortunate where my parents were able to find specialists." <br /><br />For 13 years Emily participated in research studies where specialists ran various tests on her, checking hormone levels and cognitive development. <br /><br />In her journey, she found an endocrinologist who specialises in Turner syndrome and has been instrumental in her care. <br /><br />Emily said: "He has been super helpful. <br /><br />“When you’re little, the main concerns are growth issues and cognitive development issues. <br /><br />“The older you get, there’s a lot more that comes into play." <br /><br />Emily was monitored to ensure she went through puberty and continues to be monitored for increased cancer risks. <br /><br />In early college, at just 19, she faced a significant decision due to ovarian failure - which is common among people with Turner's syndrome - and opted for surgery to remove her ovaries to mitigate cancer risks. <br /><br />Emily said: "Making that decision was really difficult, but I felt at peace about it as the best health decision for myself." <br /><br />Her health journey took another turn when she was diagnosed with melanoma on her neck aged just 21. <br /><br />"It was pretty shocking, it’s such a young age to get skin cancer at 22." <br /><br />A major surgery on her neck followed, but early detection prevented the cancer from spreading. <br /><br />Emily said: "Having to go through all of the cancer screenings was pretty intense when you’re in college you just want to be having fun and not thinking about your health." <br /><br />Turner syndrome's impact varies greatly from person to person - most people with the condition lead full and healthy lives, though there is a slight decrease in life expectancy, according to the NHS. <br /><br />"Right now, it’s more just being vigilant,” Emily said. <br /><br />“I'm on a series of medications to take every day, and that’s really the only thing I need to think about at the moment."
