After years of screenings and surgeries, Kinsey Woodson has dramatically reduced her cancer risk.

Published: January 6, 2025

Finding out you have a high risk of cancer doesn’t have to be a terrifying experience. As Kinsey Woodson learned, it can be an empowering way to prioritize your health.

“The more I can normalize genetic testing, the more lives we can save,” she said.

At age 19, Kinsey tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. A BRCA (breast cancer) gene mutation increases a person’s risk for developing several types of cancer, primarily breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women.

Kinsey’s grandmother died of ovarian cancer at age 44, and her mother later tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation, undergoing a preventive double mastectomy in her 30s.

“I grew up knowing that I might have this gene mutation,” she said. “When I found out I had tested positive for BRCA1, I began preventive screenings at Norton Healthcare.”

Preventive screenings and surgery
Throughout her 20s, Kinsey underwent regular mammograms and cancer screenings, often as the youngest patient in the waiting room.

“I had such great support from doctors and nurses every step of the way,” she said.

In December 2020, Kinsey began working with an oncology team at Norton Cancer Institute, due to her BRCA1 gene mutation diagnosis and plans for preventive surgeries. Her case would require a multidisciplinary approach, with care coordinated between surgery, oncology and support services.

After nearly a decade of screenings, she was scheduled to undergo a preventive double mastectomy to significantly reduce her cancer risk. Her care team, led by Tiffany S. Berry, M.D., breast surgeon with the Norton Healthcare Breast Health Program, made the critical decision to postpone Kinsey’s surgery, due to low platelet levels and stroke risk.

“I believe Dr. Berry saved my life, not just because she performed the surgery but because she didn’t do it when my platelets were too low. Her judgment was incredible,” Kinsey said. “This surgery reduced my breast cancer risk from 88% down to 5%. My risk is so low now that I don’t live in fear.”

A team of doctors at Norton Cancer Institute, including medical oncologist Don A. Stevens, M.D., worked diligently to investigate Kinsey’s condition until they could determine that she was healthy enough to safely undergo surgery.

“Dr. Stevens worked with me for almost a year to try different treatments and transfusions that would get my platelets high enough to be safe for surgery,” Kinsey said. “I got to know all the staff in his office well throughout 2023, and they were always so kind and helpful during a difficult, scary time for me and my family. They all helped get me through to the other side of the surgery safely.”

Throughout her journey, Kinsey has received continuous support through the Norton Cancer Institute Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Program, which provides patients with targeted support, medical care, education and resources to help navigate the challenges and stress of a cancer journey.

According to Kinsey, Joseph M. Flynn, D.O., MPH, FACP, chief administrative officer of Norton Medical Group and physician-in-chief at Norton Cancer Institute, was hands-on, diligent and proactive in always making sure she received the best care possible at the AYA clinic.

“He checks in on me as soon as my labs come back, even if it’s on an evening or weekend, to make sure we can take the next step to help me get better as quickly as possible,” she said.

Kinsey is deeply grateful for the care she has received over the years at Norton Healthcare — from her oncology and plastic surgery teams to the nurses who guided her through preoperative and regular visits. She attributes her resilience to a strong support system, which includes her husband, Dyuce, her sisters and her team at the Office of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

As a yearslong patient of Norton Healthcare, Kinsey remains impressed with how her care was coordinated seamlessly among numerous services and specialties.

“In total, I’ve been treated at Norton Children’s emergency department, Norton Cancer Institute (including breast health program, hematology, oncology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and the AYA program), Norton Children’s Heart Institute (for pediatric heart issues that have since been cured) and once at the Norton Brownsboro [Hospital] ER for a sports injury,” she said. “It’s been a truly wild ride — and Norton has been a huge part of it for many, many years.”


Spreading a message to help save lives
Advocating for genetic testing and raising awareness about the BRCA gene mutation have become part of Kinsey’s personal mission.

“I tell my story as often as I can, and I’m constantly encouraging women to get tested,” she said. “It’s so important to know your risk and take control of your health.”

Kinsey’s message to other women, especially those with a family history of cancer, is clear: Don’t be afraid of genetic testing, and don’t wait to act if you are at risk.

“Getting tested was one of the most empowering decisions I ever made,” she said. “Preventive screenings and surgeries gave me peace of mind and drastically reduced my risk.”

Today, Kinsey remains cancer-free and is optimistic about her future. She was married earlier this year and is excited to someday start a family. Through her job at the Governor’s Office, she is committed to fighting for increased access to health care for all, while remaining passionate about sharing her own health journey to help save lives.

“Thanks to my Norton care team, and the early actions I took, I’ve been able to get ahead of cancer,” she said. “There’s peace of mind knowing you’ve done everything you can to protect your health.”