Alix Earle and her sister Ashtin spoke with USA TODAY about the most difficult moment to film in their new Netflix reality show, "Earle Meets World," which premiered on Sept. 4.
The two sisters said it was the day when they found that they both tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation that increases their risk of having breast cancer.
In January, it was revealed that their mother, Alisa, was undergoing treatment for breast cancer and in the sixth episode of the show, Alix and Ashtin visit their mom as she takes them to a genetic testing session to see if they have the gene mutation. The 25-year-old influencer explains in the episode that their mom wanted them tested because there was a chance they also had the mutation and needed to know the risks.
The two sisters talk with their mother in the episode about what their results could be: "Part of me is eager to learn more about what this means or could mean for us because I honestly don't know too much about it and I also want to be able to understand what my mom is going through," Alix explains in the confessional portion of the episode.
Alix Earle's BRCA2 test results revealed on reality show
The three women sit with the doctor, who explains what they can expect from their results. Because their mom has the genetic finding, both of them have a 50-50 chance of having inherited the mutation. "If you test positive, it doesn't mean 100% you're gonna get cancer," the doctor explains. "It just means you're 55% to 69% higher risk than the general population."
It isn't until close to the end of episode seven that they learn they both tested positive for the genetic mutation. The three women shared an emotional moment, holding each other as the doctor explained their results. "It's OK, at least we're in it together," Alix says as she comforts her sister who is crying. "At least we know, and that's such a privilege to be able to know and have each other's back.
BRCA2, breast cancer and the way genetic testing is changing
Physicians have been testing for the BRCA genes for about 20 years, according to Dr. Dana Zakalik, oncologist and corporate director of Corewell Health’s Nancy and James Grosfeld Cancer Genetics Center in Michigan, and there have been tremendous advances in understanding what these genes do what risks exist when someone carries one of these gene mutations.
"We are much more comprehensive and holistic in our evaluation of patients that may be at risk for breast, ovarian, pancreas, prostate and other cancers," she previously told USA TODAY.
Patients are typically offered testing if they have either a personal or family history of cancer that meets certain criteria, Zakalik adds. Those criteria have broadened over the last few years; testing is usually done through a blood or saliva sample. Patients can consult their primary care physician for referrals to genetic counselors.
During their joint interview with USA TODAY, the Earle sisters discussed why they wanted to share this moment on the show.
"We wanted to be able to spread awareness about the testing because it wasn't even something before my mom had gone through this that we knew we should be aware of or doing for ourselves," Alix said during their interview. "And hopefully it informs other people, and they're able to take the next steps for getting themselves tested."
Contributing: David Oliver
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alix Earle, sister Ashtin reveal breast cancer genetic testing results on new show
