State Sen. Kim Ward, R-Hempfield, underwent a double mastectomy at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh on Monday, according to a video she posted on her official Twitter account.
She posted a thank you message to Twitter on Tuesday morning as well.
Ward announced in May she was undergoing treatment for stage 1 breast cancer, which was discovered through a mammogram last year. Monday’s surgery was designed to prevent a reemergence of the disease.
Ward said she learned of the diagnosis in December, weeks after she won reelection and made history as the first woman to serve as Senate majority leader in Pennsylvania.
Ward underwent a lumpectomy earlier this year and discovered she tested positive for what is called the BRCA gene, a DNA analysis test that identifies harmful mutations in one of two breast-cancer susceptibility genes, called BRCA1 and BRCA2, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The gene mutation can lead to recurring instances of cancer.
All done!
— Senator Kim L. Ward (@SenatorKimWard) June 29, 2021
Thank you so much for all of the kind messages and prayers. #getyourmammogram ? pic.twitter.com/ipStankBT4
It’s go time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/dcpvouIqm9
— Senator Kim L. Ward (@SenatorKimWard) June 28, 2021
