In her new book Waiting for Cancer to Come: Women’s Experiences with Genetic Testing and Medical Decision Making for Breast and Ovarian Cancer (University of Michigan Press, 2014), Boston College Professor of Sociology Sharlene Hesse-Biber explores the complicated emotional, social, economic and psychological turmoil faced by women who test positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, which indicate high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Based on interviews and surveys of more than 60 diverse women, Waiting for Cancer to Come uses their voices to describe the under-explored BRCA experience, from family crises, secrets and revelations to difficult surgeries and personal empowerment. “As a woman who has faced breast cancer and BRCA testing in my own life, and having lost a younger sister to an aggressive form of breast cancer, I have been especially motivated to bring women’s stories to life in this project,” said Hesse-Biber. More from BC News.