KY Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman recovering from double mastectomy
Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman is recovering from a double mastectomy, her office said Monday evening.
“Concerns were raised to me during a recent routine physical exam. With a significant family history of cancer, I made the decision to have a double mastectomy,” Coleman said in a news release. “I am happy to report that a successful surgery was performed today, and I expect to make a full recovery.”
Last Tuesday, Coleman became the first woman in Kentucky history to be sworn in for a second term as lieutenant governor.
“Britainy and I fully expect the Lieutenant Governor to make a full recovery,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a written statement. “She is our friend and a critical part of Team Kentucky. My family and Kentucky families are standing with her during this time.”
Coleman and Beshear urged Kentuckians to stay on top of their health by scheduling preventative appointments with their physicians.
“As Kentucky’s highest elected teacher, it is only fitting that I leave you with a little homework: Schedule those preventative exams you’ve put off, hug your people a little tighter and be kind, because everyone is fighting a battle you may know nothing about,” Coleman said in her statement.
Coleman’s office did not immediately clarify if she’d received a cancer diagnosis, or if the surgery was a preventative measure.
“We will be in touch soon to convey this entire chapter of Lt Gov Coleman’s story,” a spokesperson for Coleman told the Herald-Leader.
A prophylactic mastectomy is a surgery that removes one, or in Coleman’s case, both breasts to “lower the chances of getting breast cancer,” according to the American Cancer Society.
Such surgeries can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 90% or more, the ACS says.
Certain genetic mutations — such as the BRCA1 or BRCA2 — carry with them a “greatly increased risk of breast cancer,” according to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation.
A draft of breast cancer screening recommendations released earlier this year by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says women should start getting mammograms at age 40, rather than 50 as previously recommended.
This story was originally published December 18, 2023 at 6:20 PM.
